juncal

Juncal is a toponym used in several Spanish-speaking countries for geographic features and settlements. The name derives from juncal, a form of junco meaning a stand of rushes, which characterizes the landscape where the name is applied. As a result, Juncal is commonly used for rivers, lakes or lagoons, and for mountains, valleys, and towns where rushes are a notable feature.

The use of Juncal is especially common in the Andean regions of Argentina and Chile, but occurrences are found in other countries with Spanish influence as well. Because many places share the same name, disambiguation by country, province, or nearby hydrological or geographic features is often necessary in maps and gazetteers. In some contexts, the name appears in historical references, land grants, and local nomenclature, reflecting the characteristic vegetation of the area.