Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Juncus mexicanus (Mexican Rush) is native to the southwestern quadrant of the United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America. It is a plant of moist areas in a great number of habitats, from coast to desert to mountain and from sea level to 10,000 ft. It may be found in standing water or saturated soil. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb which varies in appearance. The thin erect stems reach a maximum height anywhere from 10 to 80 centimeters. The leaves grow from the base of the stem and can exceed 20 centimeters in length. The flower cluster usually sprouts from the side of the stem rather than the tip. The flowers grow on long peduncles. Each individual flower has thick petals with longitudinal stripes which vary in color from bright to dark. It has six stamens with very large anthers, and long stigmas. This species is sometimes treated as a variant of Juncus arcticus or Juncus balticus.

Plant type

Grass

Size

4 - 31 in Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast, Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen, Summer Semi-deciduous

Fragrance

None

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Color

Green, Brown

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Summer irrigation

Keep moist

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 15° F

Soil drainage

Slow, Standing

Soil description

Tolerates any soil as long as adequate moisture is present.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0

Site type

Found is boggy or marshy locations throughout the state

Plant communities

Alpine Fell-Fields, Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Due to its spreading tendency, use with caution in garden ponds or bioswales. Use with other marsh plants such as Carex spp., Spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), Rush (Juncus spp.), Saltmarsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata), Arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), Willow (Salix spp.), Hedgenettle (Stachys bullata), and Cattail (Typha spp.)

Bats
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 7 likely

Confirmed Likely

Mottled Marble

Bactra furfurana

Javelin Moth

Bactra verutana

Yellow Sedge Borer

Capsula subflava