Juncus prismatocarpus R. Br.

This species has been included here on the authority of Hooker f. (l.c.) who mentions its presence in Punjab plains. Stewart (l.c.) included Duthie 20241 from Kaghan valley under this species, but its identification needs confirmation (the other specimen, Stewart 762 cited under this species actually belongs to Juncus Kotschyi as discussed before).

I have not seen any authentic specimen of this species form our area, but it is likely to occur in Punjab and Sind palins. Some forms of Juncus punctorius may be confused with this species, but its larger flowers, only 6-10 in each head usually with 3 stamens, and the vegetative characters easily distinguishes it from Juncus punctorius.

A very variable species and the smaller forms with smaller heads, greenish in colour are considered as variety leschenaultii.

This is a widespread and polymorphic species.

Perennial, (15-) 30-70 (-100) cm tall, with erect to decumbent stem, often rooting below at the nodes, compressed to subterete; rootstock short, leaves 2-10, including basal and cauline, linear to filiform, obscurely septate, shorter than stem, acute; basal sheath with ± rounded auricles. Inflorescence laxly corymbose to umbellate-paniculate with erect to subspreading branches; floral heads c. 1 cm across, densely 6-10-flowered hemispherical; lowest bract ovate-lanceolate, much shorter than the inflorescence. Flowers greenish or brownish, 3.5-4.5 mm long, sessile; perianth segments ovate-lanceolate, very acute, subulate. Stamens usually 3, much shorter than the perianth, before the outer segments (sometimes 1-3 present before the inner segments also); anthers c; half as the filaments. Capsules equal to much exceeding the perianth, narrowly prismatic, 1-celled, pale brown to lutrous brown, many seeded. style very short; stigmas much longer; seeds minute, c. 0.6 mm long.

Plants perennial, tufted, (8--)10--65 cm tall. Stems erect or ascending, terete or compressed, 0.7--3 mm in diam. Basal leaves few, cauline leaves 2--4; leaf sheath auricles obtuse, short; leaf blade linear, terete to compressed, 10--25 cm × (1--)2--4 mm, distinctly and perfectly to incompletely septate, apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, sparingly or much branched; involucral bract leaflike, shorter than inflorescence; heads 5--10(--30), globose to hemispheric, 7--10 mm in diam., (3--)8--15(--20)-flowered; bracts 2--2.5 mm, broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, thinly membranous. Perianth segments narrowly lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 3.5--4 mm, subequal, veins longitudinal, apex acute. Stamens 3, inserted opposite outer perianth segments; filaments 1.2--1.4 mm; anthers 0.9--1 mm. Stigmas very long, often recurved or sinuous. Capsule narrowly prismatic, 3.8--4.5 mm; angles prominent, acute; placentas not or only slightly intruded, hence fruit 1-loculed. Seeds wax yellow, oblong, 0.6--0.8 mm, regularly longitudinally ribbed; transverse veins faint, remote. Fl. (Jan--)Mar--Jun, fr. May--Nov.

Distribution: S.E. to E.Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon to India and Bangla Desh.

Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Australia, Pacific Islands (New Zealand)].

Forests and trail sides on mountain slopes, wet grasslands in sparse forests, thickets, fields, marshy places, swampy river banks, streamsides, sink holes; near sea level to 3000 m.