Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, 2–6 dm. Rhizomes 2–3 mm diam. Culms erect, 2–6 mm diam. Cataphylls 0 or 1–2, straw-colored, apex narrowly acute. Leaves: basal 1–3, cauline 2–6, straw-colored; auricles absent; blade 2–25 cdm x 1.5–6 mm. Inflorescences panicles or racemes of 2–50 heads or heads solitary, 2–14 cm, erect or ascending branches; primary bract erect; heads 3–70-flowered, obovoid to globose, 7–11 mm diam. Flowers: tepals green to brown or reddish brown, lanceolate; outer tepals 2.7–3.6(–4) mm, apex acuminate; inner tepals 2.2–3(–3.5) mm, nearly equal, apex acuminate; stamens 3 or 6; anthers ½1/2 to equal filament length. Capsules included to slightly exserted, chestnut to dark brown, 1-locular, oblong, 2.4–4.3 mm, apex obtuse proximal to beak. Seeds elliptic to obovate, 0.4–1 mm, occasionally tailed.

Distribution

North America, introduced in Europe and East Asia.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Juncus ensifolius var. ensifolius, Juncus ensifolius var. montanus

Key

1	Stamens 3	Juncus ensifolius var. ensifolius
1	Stamens 6	Juncus ensifolius var. montanus