Herbs, perennial, occasionally annual, usually rhizomatous, orsometimes cespitose. Culms round or flat. Leaves mostly basal; sheath margins fused or overlapping, often with 2 earlike extensions (auricles) at blade junction; blade flat or round, glabrous or margins hairy. Inflorescences of headlike clusters or single flowers variously arranged; bracts subtending inflorescence 1 or more2, mostly leaflike; bracts subtending inflorescence branches 1–2, reduced; bracteoles subtending solitary flower 0–2, translucent, reduced. Flowers usually bisexual, radially symmetric; sepals and petals similar, persistent, green to brown or purplish black; stamens usually 3 or 6; anthers persistent, linear; pistils 1; ovaries superior, locules 1 or 3, placentas 1 and basal or 3 and axile or parietal; stigmas generally longer than styles. Fruits capsules, loculicidal. Seeds 3–many, often with white appendages on 1 or both ends.

Distribution

Arctic and temperate regions, tropical mountains.

Discussion

Genera 9, species ca. 350 (2 genera, 1108 species in the flora).

Selected References

Buchenau, F. 1890. Monographia Juncacearum. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 12: 1--495, 622--623, plates 1--3.

Buchenau, F. 1906. Juncaceae. In: H. G. A. Engler, ed. 1900--1953. Das Pflanzenreich.... 107 vols. Berlin. Vol. 25[IV, 26], pp. 1--284.

Lower Taxa

Juncus, Luzula

Key

1	Leaves glabrous, sheaths open; fruits 1- or 3-chambered; seeds many	Juncus
1	Leaves generally with hairy margins; fruits 1-chambered; seeds 3	Luzula