New Zealand Plant Conservation Network
  • Member login
  • Join
Facebook
  • Home
  • Flora
    • Flora species
    • Vascular
    • Non Vascular
    • Plant identification
    • Fungi
    • Make your own book
    • Quiz
  • Threats
    • Exotic Plants (Weeds)
    • Pest Animals
    • Other threats
  • Ecosystems
    • Plant communities
    • Ecosystem services
    • Novel ecosystems
  • Publications
    • Documents
    • Newsletter
    • Plant lists
    • Botanical Society journals
    • NZPCN publications
  • Conservation
    • Seedbank
    • Training
    • Restoration
    • Monitoring
    • Habitat protection
    • Funding
    • Botanic gardens
  • NZPCN
    • News
    • Trilepidea newsletter
    • Events
    • Members
    • Council members
    • Awards
    • Shop
    • Donate
    • Favourite Plant
    • Why join NZPCN?
    • Join
  • Help
    • FAQ
    • Query
    • Glossary
  • Contact us

Search flora

You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Flora
  3. Flora species
  4. Juncus holoschoenus var. holoschoenus

Juncus holoschoenus var. holoschoenus

Juncus holoschoenus var holoschoenus inflorescence, Rangataiki Frost Flats (2004).<br>Photographer: Nicholas J. D. Singers, Licence: All rights reserved.
Mitotic chromosomes (2n = 106).<br>Photographer: Brian G. Murray, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.
Close up of Juncus holoschoenus var. holoschoenus, Rangataiki Frost Flats (2005).<br>Photographer: Nicholas J. D. Singers, Licence: All rights reserved.
Juncus holoschoenus var holoschoenus flower fascicles, Rangataiki Frost Flat (2004).<br>Photographer: Nicholas J. D. Singers, Licence: All rights reserved.
Juncus holoschoenus var holoschoenus plants in deep water filled depression, Rangataiki Frost Flats (2004).<br>Photographer: Nicholas J. D. Singers, Licence: All rights reserved.
Juncus holoschoenus var. holoschoenus habitat, Rangataiki Frost Flats (2004).<br>Photographer: Nicholas J. D. Singers, Licence: All rights reserved.
Seed head. Rangitaiki (from a specimen collected by Sarah Beadel).<br>Photographer: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Date taken: 28 March 2009, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Seed head. Rangitaiki (from a specimen collected by Sarah Beadel).<br>Photographer: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Date taken: 28 March 2009, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Download PDF Comment on factsheet

NZPCN members can select up to 20 plant species and automatically create a full colour, fully illustrated A4 book describing them (in PDF format).

  • Find out more...
  • Join NZPCN...
iNaturalist NZ View observations Te Papa View specimens Donate Support NZPCN

Synonyms

None

Family

Juncaceae

Authority

Juncus holoschoenus R.Br. var. holoschoenus

Flora category

Vascular – Native

Endemic taxon

No

Endemic genus

No

Endemic family

No

Structural class

Rushes & Allied Plants

Chromosome number

2n = 106

Current conservation status

  • Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017

The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.

2012 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: EF, OL, SO

Previous conservation statuses

2009 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: CD, DP, EF, SO

2004 | Threatened – Nationally Endangered

Distribution

Indigenous. Common in Australia - although J. holoschoenus is a species complex, and when the segregate entities are fully resolved it may turn out to be much less common there than currently believed. In New Zealand, though reported widely from North, South and Chatham Islands, critical comparison of herbarium specimens shows that most recent (and historic) records are based on J. holoschoenus var. multiflorus Carse whose taxonomic status whilst unclear (see comments made of it in Flora of New Zealand, Vol. 2), is clearly not the same as the older New Zealand collections of J. holoschoenus and is probably the result of an Australian introduction of one of their J. holoschoenus complex.

Habitat

Coastal and lowland to subalpine eutrophic to oligotrophic wetlands. Always found growing in shallow water.

Features

Tufted, shortly rhizomatous perennial, bright-green rush up to 750mm tall. Stems stout, erect, circular in cross-section, internal transverse septa absent or just evident. Leaf-sheath pale green to almost white, 30–50mm long, incompletely septate, auricles 2, obtuse. Leaves 5–10, 150–300mm long, linear, erect to curving, circular to semi-compressed, hollow, unitubular, transversely septate across whole width; leaf tip acuminate. Inflorescence rather stout, terminal, cymose; 2–5 branched, bearing 2–8, globular, 20–30mm diameter, 10–30-flowered fascicles at branch apices; subtending bract leafy, < inflorescence, septate across whole width. Flowers 3.5–5.0mm diameter; tepals equal, acuminate, green to red-green. Stamens 6. Capsules 4.5 × 1.5mm, more or less equal in length to tepals, ovate-lanceolate, triquetrous, tapered to a distinct, mucronate apex.

Similar taxa

J. holoschoenus is most similar to the indigenous J. prismatocarpus and introduced J. fockei. From J. prismatocarpus it can be distinguished by its rolled, rather than flat leaves with transverse septa only, and flowers with 6 rather than three stamens. From J. fockei it can be distinguished by the shorter, slightly tapered capsule which is more or less equal in length to the tepals, and much denser, more robust and fewer-flowered inflorescences.

Flowering

October to December

Flower colours

Green, Red/Pink

Fruiting

December to May

Life cycle

Mucilaginous seeds are dispersed by attachment, wind and water (Thorsen et al., 2009).

Propagation technique

Easily grown from division of whole plants and from fresh seed.

Threats

Not clear. This rush has declined rapidly over the last 120 years and is now only known with certainty from relatively weed free sub-alpine mires and frost flats. It seems plausible that it declined through competition from other similar introduced rushes or a host of other exotic wetland weeds that now dominate many wetland systems that this species once occupied. Examination of herbarium specimens suggests this rush might never have been common in New Zealand. Perhaps it was a recent trans-Tasman arrival, which was in the process of establishing itself, when other exotic weeds were introduced into the wetland systems it evidently favours. One thing is clear, J. holoschoenus var. holoschoenus is now seriously at risk of extinction in this country.

Etymology

juncus: From the Latin jungere ‘to tie or bind’, the stems of some species being used to make cord (Johnson and Smith)

Where To Buy

Not commericially available. Some plants are held by specialist growers.

Cultural Use/Importance

Juncus holoschoenus var. multiflorus is similar but this is a species of very open, disturbed habitats dominated by naturalised species. From J. holoschoenus var. holoschoenus it differs by its more slender, weakly tufted almost trailing stems, rather than the stout, erect, much taller, few-stemmed growth form typical of var. holoschoenus, and by the more numerous (up to 40, up to 8 in var. holoschoenus), smaller flower clusters.

Attribution

Fact Sheet prepared for the NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 1 September 2006. Description by P.J. de Lange and subsequently published in de Lange et al. (2010) - see also Moore & Edgar (1970) - a description which also includes var. multiflorus.

References and further reading

de Lange, P.J.; Heenan, P.B.; Norton, D.A.; Rolfe, J.R.; Sawyer, J.W.D. 2010: Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch.

Johnson, A. T. and Smith, H. A (1986). Plant Names Simplified: Their pronunciation, derivation and meaning. Landsman Bookshop Ltd: Buckenhill, UK.

Moore, L.B.; Edgar, E. 1970: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. II. Government Printer, Wellington.

Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285-309

Citation

Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Juncus holoschoenus var. holoschoenus Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/juncus-holoschoenus-var-holoschoenus/ (Date website was queried)

▲ Back to top
  • Home
  • Flora
  • Threats
  • Ecosystems
  • Publications
  • Conservation
  • NZPCN
  • Help
  • Contact us

© 2022 New Zealand Plant Conservation Network • Website by RS

Coastlands Plant Nursery Wildlands

Website sponsor

  • Home
  • Flora
    • Flora species
    • Vascular
      • Ferns
        • King fern
        • True ferns
        • Adder's tongue ferns
        • Fork ferns and whisk ferns
        • Horsetails
      • Conifers
        • Celery pines
        • Kauri
        • Podocarps
          • Podocarpus
          • Dacrydium
          • Prumnopitys
          • Dacrycarpus
          • Halocarpus
          • Lepidothamnus
          • Manoao
        • Cypress
      • Flowering plants
        • Parasites
          • Leafy mistletoes
          • Pygmy mistletoes
            • Korthalsella flowers
            • Korthalsella hosts
            • Dispersal of Korthalsella
            • Associates of Korthalsella
          • Root parasites
          • Saprophytes
        • Epiphytes
          • NZ
            • Typical
            • Occasional
            • Hemi-epiphytes
            • Ephemeral
            • NZ list
        • Monocots
          • Orchids
            • Structure
          • Grasses
        • Dicots
          • Hebes
          • Kowhai
          • Coprosma
          • Beech
          • Rata
        • Carnivorous
        • Deciduous plants
        • Aquatic plants
      • Poisonous plants
        • Poisons in the garden
        • Poisonous food plants
        • Poisonous natives
      • Threatened plant lists
      • What's a vascular plant?
      • Club mosses
    • Non Vascular
      • Bryophytes
        • Liverworts
        • Mosses
        • Hornworts
      • Algae
        • Seaweeds
      • Lichens
    • Plant identification
      • Written descriptions
      • Experts
      • Plant keys
        • Key to parasitic plant genera
      • Collecting plants
        • Should I collect
        • Choosing a specimen
        • Field notes
        • Fresh plant material
        • Pressing and drying
        • Mounting specimens
        • Labelling specimens
    • Fungi
    • Make your own book
    • Quiz
  • Threats
    • Exotic Plants (Weeds)
      • Unwanted organisms
      • DOC weeds
      • Plant me instead
      • Pest Plant Accord
    • Pest Animals
      • Mammals
        • Mustelids
        • Rodents
        • Ungulates
        • Possums
      • Fish
      • Insects
    • Other threats
      • Natural events
        • Insects
      • Human induced
        • Habitat loss
        • Collection
        • Climate change
  • Ecosystems
    • Plant communities
      • Dunes
        • Volcanic
        • Coastal
          • Threats
          • Common species
          • Research on dunes
          • Pingao research
          • What you can do
      • Wetlands
        • Estuaries
          • Common estuarine species
          • Research on estuaries
        • Ephemeral
        • Restiad peat bogs
      • Forests
        • Kauri-podocarp-broadleaved
        • Podocarp broadleaved
        • Beech
      • Scrub/shrublands
        • Geothermal
          • Distribution of geothermal vegetation
          • Geothermal plants
          • Geothermal vegetation types
          • Threats to geothermal vegetation
        • Frost flat/hollow
        • Manuka fens
        • Gumlands
      • Grasslands
        • Tussock grasslands
      • Bare ground
        • Braided rivers
        • Alpine
        • Cliff
        • Scree and boulderfields
        • Shingle beaches
      • Herbfields
        • Saltpan
    • Ecosystem services
    • Novel ecosystems
  • Publications
    • Documents
    • Newsletter
    • Plant lists
      • Plant lists by region
      • National plant lists
      • How to prepare a plant list
    • Botanical Society journals
    • NZPCN publications
  • Conservation
    • Seedbank
      • Project 1 - Pohutukawa, Rata and Myrtaceae
      • Project 2 - Alpine flora and the Forget-Me-Nots
      • Project 3 - Kowhai and its relatives
      • Project 4 - Podocarps and trees of the forest
    • Training
      • Module 1: Plant life
      • Module 2: Covenants
      • Module 3: Propagation
      • Module 4: Wetlands
      • Pilot course 2006
      • Request a course
    • Restoration
      • Gardening
        • Being weed wise
        • Garden plants
          • Trees and shrubs
          • Broad-leaved herbs
          • Grass-like herbs
          • Climbers
          • Ferns
        • Attracting wildlife
        • Planting for lizards
          • Rules
      • Species recovery
        • Plant translocations
      • Ecological restoration
        • Case studies
          • Tavora Reserve
          • Waiwhakareke
      • Revegetation
      • Eco-sourcing
      • Find a restoration group
    • Monitoring
      • Number count
        • Number count method
        • Pros and cons of number counts
        • Data analysis and interpretation
      • Presence/absence surveys
        • Presence/absence survey methods
        • Pros and cons of presence/absence surveys
        • Data analysis and interpretation
      • Mapping spatial extent
        • Spatial extent mapping methods
        • Pros and cons of spatial extent mapping
        • Data analysis and interpretation
      • Photo points
        • Photo point guidelines
    • Habitat protection
      • Legal protection
        • Nga Whenua Rahui
        • QEII covenants
        • DOC Covenants
      • Animal pest control
      • Weed control
      • Fencing
    • Funding
    • Botanic gardens
  • NZPCN
    • News
    • Trilepidea newsletter
    • Events
      • Conference 2022
        • 2022 conference postponement
        • 2022 conference field trips
        • 2022 conference workshops
        • Code of conduct
        • COVID-19 information
        • 2022 conference sponsors
        • Abstract and poster submission
        • 2022 Conference venue and accommodation
      • Conference 2019
      • Conference 2017
      • Conference 2015
        • Speakers
        • Workshops
        • Field trips
        • Charity auction
      • Conference 2013
        • Speakers
        • Timetable
    • Members
    • Council members
      • NZPCN council member profiles
      • Council 2013
      • Council 2012
      • Council 2011
      • Council 2010
      • Council 2009
      • Council 2008
      • Council 2007
      • Council 2006
      • Council 2005
      • Council 2004
      • Council 2003
    • Awards
      • NZPCN Annual Awards
        • 2019
        • 2018
        • 2017
        • 2016
        • 2015
        • 2014
        • 2013
        • 2012
        • 2011
        • 2010
        • 2009
        • 2008
        • 2007
        • 2006
        • 2005
      • David Given Scholarship
        • David Given Scholarship Recipients
    • Shop
    • Donate
    • Favourite Plant
    • Why join NZPCN?
    • Join
  • Help
    • FAQ
      • Joining the Network
      • The Network
      • Network website
      • New Zealand plants
      • The law
      • Your discoveries
    • Query
    • Glossary
  • Contact us