Participant Info

Species

Juncus mertensianus [Verojuncus mertensianus] [Juncus duranii] [Juncus ensifolius var. minor]

Family

Juncaceae

CommonName

Mertens' rush, Alaska rush

Presence

yes

Status

native

EarliestDate

1888

LatestDate

2025

Ecosystem

montane, subalpine, tundra, ruderal

Geobotanical

SSawatch, SSanjuans, Culebras, NCristos

Counties

Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache, Archuleta, San Juan

Passes

Elwood, Music, Wolf Creek

WildlifePreserves

Other Localities

PhotoRecords

YES Katherine Zybko: Saguache Co, Upper Sand Creek, 7 July 2025

Comments

Mertens' rush is one of the most commonly recorded rushes in the alpine of the Watershed. In ranges on both sides of the Valley, Juncus mertensianus has been found in moist meadows, on road banks at lake margins, and around boggy springs. It is presence in similar habitats in all Western USA states. But it follows the Rio Grande drainage only through two northern counties of New Mexico.

Annotation