Juncus debilis

Herbs, perennial, cespitose, 1–2.5 dm. Culms erect, terete, 1–2 mm diam., smooth. Cataphylls 0–1, maroon or dark green, apex acute. Leaves: basal 0–1, cauline 1–3; auricles 1–1.5 mm, apex rounded, scarious; blade maroon or dark green, terete, 1–12.5 cm × 0.5–1.5 mm. Inflorescences terminal panicles of 3–50 heads, 2–8 cm, branches ascending to spreading; primary bract erect; heads 2–10-flowered, obpyramidal, 2–5 mm diam. Flowers: tepals green to straw-colored, lanceolate, 1.8–2.3(–2.5) mm, apex sharply acuminate; stamens 3, 1/2 filament length. Capsules exserted, straw-colored, 1-locular, narrowly ellipsoid to lanceoloid, 2.8–3.7 7(–4.2) mm, apex acute, valves separating at dehiscence. Seeds ellipsoid, 0.3–0.4 mm, not tailed; body clear yellow-brown.

Phenology: Fruiting summer.
Habitat: Marshy shores, in small streams, swamps, wet clearings, spring runs, commonly in very soft mucky substrates
Elevation: 0–700 m

Ala., Ark., Del., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ky., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., Mexicos (Chiapas), Central America (Honduras).

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa