Juncus textilis
Mat or basket rush, Mat Rush
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Family: Juncaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Juncus textilis (Mat or basket rush) is a native California grass in the Juncaceae family, recognized by distinctive bladeless leaves and lateral inflorescence.
Mat or basket rush is a California native perennial found in southern Santa Lucia, Santa Rosa, and southwestern California excluding the Channel Islands in dry or moist soils at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering times are not specified, but the plant produces small flowers with green to light brown perianth parts 3.5 to 5 millimeters long. Growing 100 to 200 centimeters tall with a heavy, creeping rhizome, it develops cylindric stems 3 to 5 millimeters wide at the base. Its basal leaves are reduced to brown sheaths less than 18 centimeters long, with no true leaf blades. The plant produces lateral inflorescences with extremely variable branches and individual flowers, with a distinctive cylindric lowest bract that closely resembles the plant's stem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; distinctive bladeless leaves and lateral inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry or moist soils
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Orange, Kern, San Diego, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Fresno
How to tell it apart
vs Schoenoplectus: Juncus has leaf blades present; Schoenoplectus is leafless with only bladeless sheaths at base.; vs Carex: Juncus has round or flattened stems; Carex has triangular stems you can feel.; vs Luzula: Run finger along leaf edge - smooth = Juncus, hairy = Luzula.; vs Elegia: Juncus has small individual flowers; Elegia has showy papery bracts and branching structure.; vs Cyperus: Juncus has round stems and capsules; Cyperus has triangular stems and lens-shaped achenes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Juncus textilis native to California?
Yes. Juncus textilis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Juncus textilis grow?
Juncus textilis occurs in Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Orange, Kern, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Juncus textilis belong to?
Juncus textilis is in the Juncaceae family, genus Juncus.
What habitat does Juncus textilis grow in?
Juncus textilis grows in dry or moist soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.