Juncus ensifolius Wikstr.
Loosely tufted or forming open colonies, less frequently densely tufted; rhizome slender, ± far-extending. Stems 15-70 cm high, laterally compressed, almost winged at lower nodes, cauline leaves 2-3. Leaves ensiform, ± curved, ± flat, blue-green, longitudinal and transverse septa visible externally, often incomplete. Inflorescence of 1-3 large, many-flowered, usually blackish, globose clusters, causing taller stems to incline. Tepals 2.5-3 mm long, all ± equal, acute to acuminate. Stamens 3-6. Capsule c. 3 mm long, > tepals, oblong, shortly mucronate, dark brown to black.
N. Auckland - near Rotorua, upper Rangitaiki River; Wellington - Manawatu, north Wairarapa. S. Nelson - near Reefton, common; Westland - near Ahaura; Canterbury - Tim' s Creek in Craigieburn Range, Kowai River, dried out hollows along Waimakariri River near Belfast, upper Selwyn River near Coalgate, upper Rangitata River west of Mt Peel Station. Wet places along roads. (Western N. America)
First record: Allan 1940: 308, as "J. xiphioides E. Mey."
First collection: "Rakaia River, North Canterbury," A. Wall, 1942 (WELT 11296).
Recognized by the flat, blue-green, sword-shaped leaves with prominent longitudinal and transverse septa, the stems apparently winged between the lower nodes, and the large black clustered heads.
Sufficiently common on swampy roadsides in some west coast, S. Id localities, to form communities, distinctive in the black clustered heads on ± inclined slender stems.
