Taxon Report

Juncus digitatus C. Witham & Zika

finger rush

Print Report


Image by Wendy Boes

Taxon Summary

Juncus digitatus, commonly known as finger rush, is a annual herb in the Juncaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Cismontane woodland (openings), Lower montane coniferous forest (openings), and Vernal pools (xeric), growing at elevations from 660 to 1097 meters. Juncus digitatus is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Juncus digitatus C. Witham & Zika
Common Name:
finger rush
Family: Juncaceae
Element Code: PMJUN013E0
USDA Plants Symbol: JUDI3
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: (Apr)May-Jun (Apr)May-Jun
Elevation: 660-1097 (2165-3600)
General Habitats: Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest, Vernal pools
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 3
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Nevada (NEV), Shasta (SHA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Grass Valley (3912121), Hagaman Gulch (4012157), Shingletown (4012148)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 5
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
3 100 %
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 1 33%
Development 1 33%
Disking 1 33%
Mining 1 33%
Surface water diversion 1 33%

Notes

Two occurrences in SHA Co.; one occurrence is threatened by ornamental rock mining and the other is threatened by water diversion. A third occurrence in NEV Co. is threatened by development and hydrological alterations. See J. Botanical Research Institute of Texas 2(2):775-781 (2008) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2009-01-02
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].