Juncus squarrosus L.

Perennial, very dense coarse tufts (15)–25–35 cm high; roots thick, spreading. Stems stout, stiffly erect. Leaves many, usually all basal, c. ½ length of stems, wiry, very stiff, channelled, abruptly reflexed from just above very wide sheath. Inflorescence 2–8–(12) cm long, strict, with few unequal branches. Flowers in clusters of 2–3–(6) at ends of branches. Tepals 5–6 mm long, ± equal, dark chestnut-brown even in young flowers, tips subulate to acute. Stamens 6, Capsule c. 5 mm long, slightly < tepals, obovate, very shortly mucronate, yellow-brown to dark chestnut-brown.

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