General:
Perennial herb from compact rhizomes; stems in dense clusters, coarsely longitudinally grooved with 10 to 20 ridges, the epidermal cells on the ridges distinctly larger than the others, 20-60 cm tall.

Leaves:
Reduced to small sheaths at the base of the stem.

Flowers:
Inflorescence globe-shaped, with numerous flowers on branches 0.5-3 cm long, appearing as if on the side of the stem; perianth segments reddish-brown, 4-6 mm long, pointed, about equal; stamens 3; anthers about as long as the filaments; involucral bract 3-5 cm long, cylindrical, resembling a continuation of the stem, coarsely longitudinally grooved with 10 to 20 ridges, the epidermal cells on the ridges distinctly larger than the others.

Fruits:
Capsules, with small depressions on the tops, slightly shorter than the perianth segments; seeds ellipsoid, 0.5 mm long, lacking tail-like appendages.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Juncus effusus var. compactus
Juncus effusus var. conglomeratus (L.) Engelm.