Juncus homalocaulis F.Muell. ex Benth.

Perennials, (5–) 10–18 (–35) cm tall, densely caespitose; rhizome short; stolons absent; stem 0.5–1.2 mm in diam. Cataphylls 3–4. Leaves basal, 3–5 per stem, canaliculate to filiform, 0.3–0.9 mm wide; apex acute; sheaths tight, greenish-membranous; auricles obtuse, scarious, c. 0.5 mm long. Lower bract single, leaf-like, usually 3–10 (–15) cm long, usually equalling or longer than inflorescence. Inflorescence terminal, loose, to 10 cm long, umbelloid to anthelate, with 1–2 erect or arcuate primary branches; secondary peduncles short; flowers divaricate, in 2–4 (–8) loose, (1–) 3–6-flowered clusters. Bracteoles ovate, obtuse, to c. 2.0 mm long, scarious or pinkish. Flowers usually cleistogamous. Tepals ±tightly adpressed to pistils, unequal, with outer ones distinctly longer, linear-lanceolate, long acuminate, greenish becoming stramineous-brown; margins membranous, broad; outer tepals c. 5.0–6.5 (–7.5) mm long; inner tepals to c. 5.5 mm long. Stamens 3 (–4 or 5); anthers 1.0–1.3 mm long; filaments 0.8–1.0 mm long; style to 0.5 mm long; stigmas 1.5–2.0 mm long. Capsule ±triseptate, narrowly trigonous-ovoid to ellipsoid, acuminate to acute, c. 4.5–5.5 mm long, shorter than or equalling perianth, golden brown. Seeds ovoid, apiculate, c. 0.5–0.6 × 0.35 mm, deep brown, longitudinally c. 12–14-striate, distinctly transversally reticulate; appendages absent. Fig. 122.