Herbs, perennial, cespitose, 3–6 dm. Rhizomes densely branching. Culms few–20. Leaves basal, (1–) 2–3; auricles 0.5–1 (–1.5) mm, apex acutish, membranous; blade flat, 5–15 cm × 0.5–1.3 mm, margins entire. Inflorescences 5–50-flowered, somewhat loose, 1–7 cm; primary bract usually longer than inflorescence. Flowers: bracteoles 2; tepals greenish, lanceolate, (3.5–) 5 mm; outer and inner series nearly equal; stamens 6, filaments 0.5–1 mm, anthers 0.1–0.3 mm; style 0.1–0.2 mm. Capsules light-brown, 1-locular to pseudo-3-locular, ellipsoid, (3–) 5–4.5 × 1.2–1.8 mm, nearly equal to shorter than tepals. Seeds tan, ellipsoid to lunate, 5.5–0.7 mm, not tailed. 2n = 80.

Phenology: Flowering spring–early summer.
Habitat: Moist, usually exposed sites in clayey or sandy soil around springs, along rivers and streams, and around lakes
Elevation: below 2300 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., Calif., Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Wash.

Discussion

Juncus occidentalis should perhaps be considered a robust variant of J. tenuis.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.