In North Africa, the species has a relatively wide Extent of Occurrence (EOO) but a small Area of Occupancy (AOO), below 500 km². The populations are believed to be declining (at least in lowland sites) but it occurs at more than 10 locations. It is classified as Near Threatened due to its population vulnerability and possibility of meeting Criteria B2ab(iv,v).

Juncus valvatus var. echinuloides (Brot.) Coss. is limited to central and south Portugal. In North Africa, it is known as var. caricinus Coss. & Dur. J. valvatus is endemic to Portugal, Tunisia and Algeria. In Tunisia, only one location is indicated. In Algeria, it is scattered among twelve locations in the centre and east of the country, especially inland and on mountains up to 2,000 m. It is considered as rare (Maire 1957, Quezel and Santa 1961).

The populations are limited in the Mediterranean to Portugal, Tunisia (one population: Dorsale tunisienne) and Algeria (12 locations at least). They are distributed along a strip of mountains from Guelma-Constantine to the Ouarsenis massif. The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of Juncus valvatus is about 140,000 km². Since it is rare, its Area of Occupancy (AOO) is probably below 500 km² .

Juncus valvatus is a perennial Geophyte with a stem of 10-50 cm height. It is found in moist meadows, flooded depressions, banks of freshwaters of limestone and siliceous mountains, until about a height of 2,000 m.

Juncus valvatus is not threatened in the short term in Algeria, because of the numerous locations but surveillance of the Tunisian population is needed. Its mountainuous habitats constitutes some degree of protection but the species will be threatened, if the wetlandsare not legally protected.

Some populations occur in designated Ramsar sites. The following conservation measures are furthermore needed:
- Conservation of the habitat and surveillance of the existing locations
- Implementation of legal protection measures
- Scientific research: inventory of its habitats, existing populations, biology, and taxonomy