Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, 0.5--3 dm. Culms erect, slightly compressed. Leaves: basal 2--4, cauline 1--3; auricles absent or rudimentary; blade flat, 4--15 cm x 1.5--3 mm. Inflorescences glomerules, (1--)2--5, each with 2--15 flowers, open or aggregate; primary bract usually exceeding inflorescence. Flowers: tepals brown, ovate-lanceolate, 4.5--6 mm, margins scarious, minutely papillate; inner series slightly shorter. Capsules brown, 3-locular, obovoid, 3--5 mm, shorter than perianth. Seeds ovoid to pyriform, 0.7 mm, not tailed.

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora): North America, Pacific Islands.

Lower Taxa

• Juncus falcatus var. falcatus
• Juncus falcatus var. sitchensis Buchenau