Juncus soranthus Schrenk

Perennials (15–) 20–35 (–50) cm, loosely caespitose; rhizome horizontal, short-noded; stem often stout. Cataphylls 2–4; cauline leaves absent, or single, short; basal and sub-basal leaves 2–4, c. 5–25 cm long, often reaching inflorescence, 1–2 mm wide, ±flat; auricles broadly obtuse, 0.3–0.7 mm long, scarious. Lower bract leaf-like, ±equalling inflorescence or longer. Inflorescence 3–13 cm long, (15–) 30–60 (–100)-flowered, composite or decomposite, flowers mostly in 2–5-flowered heads. Bracteoles broadly ovate, scarious, 1.0–1.5 mm long, subobtuse. Tepals ±equal, ±oblong-ovate, 2.8–3.5 mm long, obtuse; central band broad, greenish or pale brown, bordered deep castaneous to blackish brown; margins membranous; outer tepals ±cucullate at apex. Stamens 6; anthers 1.5–2.2 mm long; filaments 0.3–0.5 mm long; style c. 0.7–0.9 mm long (including young mucro); stigmas c. 1.0–1.5 mm long. Capsule ±trilocular, broadly ellipsoid-subtrigonous, brown, 3.0–3.5 mm long, ±equalling perianth, obtuse, mucronate; mucro c. 0.2–0.4 mm long. Seeds obliquely ovoid, apiculate, c. 0.5–0.6 × c. 0.3 mm, brown, faintly c. 16-striate, minutely reticulate; appendages absent.