19. Juncus secundus P. Beauv. ex Poir.

Pl. 96 i, j; Map 376

Aerial stems 30–60 cm tall, caespitose, lacking noticeable rhizomes. Leaves 1–4, all basal, 1 or 2 of them sometimes lacking leaf blades, the auricles at the top of the sheaths about 0.5 mm long, papery, rounded, the leaf blades 8–20 cm long, usually less than 1/3 the height of the stems, 0.5–1.0 mm wide, folded longitudinally or with the edges rolled toward the middle, lacking cross-partitions. Inflorescences condensed panicles, the branches ascending and often curving in toward the tip, the longest leaflike bract at the base usually shorter than the inflorescence. Flowers mostly occurring singly on the inner side of inflorescence branches, 10–50 per inflorescence, each with a pair of small, ovate to broadly ovate, closely subtending bracts. Perianth 2.5–4.0 mm long, the sepals about as long as the petals, lanceolate, the tips attenuate. Stamens 6 per flower. Fruits 2.5–3.5 mm long, as long as or slightly shorter than the perianth, ovate to oblong in outline, the tip rounded or blunt, 3-locular. Seeds 0.5–0.6 mm long, both ends usually abruptly tapered to darkened or translucent points. May–October.

Scattered in southern and central Missouri (eastern U.S. and adjacent Canada west to Kansas). Dry upland prairies, pastures, sandy or rocky open ground, and along railroads, on acidic substrates.