Angled fruit rush Juncus holoschoenus var. holoschoenus

Juncus holoschoenus var. holoschoenus

Key Features

  • A tufted, leafy rush up to 50 cm tall, with rounded stems and tubular leaves that lack longitudinal septae (internal partitions) but do have transverse septae (i.e. cross walls). Many species of Juncus have leaves with transverse septae (several of these species are exotic), but in most there are septae within the stems as well, whereas in J. holoschoenus there are no septae in the upper parts of stems. Flowers are clustered into compact heads about 1 cm diameter, of which there may be few or many.

Distribution and Habitat

  • A scattered distribution in the North Island, and only recorded from Canterbury in the South Island.
  • The habitat is swampy ground from sea level to 1,000 m.

Threats

  • Habitat modification and loss.
  • Competition with exotic plants.

Management Opportunities

  • Survey for new locations.
  • Mark known sites.
  • Protection of habitat.
  • Weed control.

Monitoring Options

  • Check existing populations annually.
  • Report new locations to DOC, NZPCN.

Further Information and Support

  • New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN). http://www.nzpcn.org.nz
  • Weed management - Department of Conservation, Regional Councils.
  • References:
    • Johnson, P.N. & Brooke, P.A. (1989). Wetland plants in New Zealand. DSIR Publishing, Wellington.
    • Peter de Lange, Peter Heenan, David Norton, Jeremy Rolfe and John Sawyer (2010). Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 472 pp.