Juncus bulbosus L.

Low-growing perennial, very variable, densely tufted, 5–15–(25) cm high, or with prostrate rooting stems with leafy tufts at nodes, often mat-forming, usually reddish-tinged, or submersed. Stems slender, ± swollen at nodes, rooting. Leaves setaceous, short, (very narrow and grass-like in some floating plants), transverse and longitudinal septa present but scarcely visible externally. Inflorescence very variable, unbranched, and few-flowered, or branched and open, with flowers only, or tufts of setaceous leaves with or without flowers. Flowers 2–6 in each cluster. Tepals c.2 mm long, acute, green to brown. Stamens 3–6. Capsule 2–3 mm long, ± = or > tepals, yellowish-brown, oblong to obovate, obtuse, subacute or ± retuse.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]