Juncus dichotomus

Tufted, shortly rhizomatous perennial. Culms erect, 25–65 cm high, each with (1–)2–3 leaves and 1–3 cataphylls towards the base, becoming ridged when dry, mid green, glossy. Leaf-blades subterete, channelled, shorter than culms and (0.5–)0.5–1.3 mm wide, apex acute to acuminate, mid green, glossy; auricles obtuse, to 0.2–0.5 mm long, scarious to subcoriaceous. Inflorescence terminal, more or less diffuse, with flowers usually well spaced, occasionally subcongested (but not forming well-defined clusters); 1 leaf-like bract 2–10 cm long, longer than or equalling inflorescence (rarely shorter), 2–10 cm long; prophylls present. Tepals with broad green midrib when young, margins membranous, pale; outer tepals 2.8–3.7 mm long, acuminate; inner shorter than or subequal to the outer; stamens 6, anthers 0.3–0.6 mm long. Capsules tan to golden brown at maturity, ellipsoid, c. 2.6–3.5 mm long, obtuse and shortly mucronate, shorter than or subequal to the tepals; seeds c. 0.3–0.4 mm long, slightly asymmetrical, finely reticulate (discernible at high magnification), minutely apiculate at one or both ends, apiculus < 0.15 mm long. Flowers Apr.–May (2 records) and presumably earlier, seeds shed Apr.–May (2 records).