Lye, K.A. (1995) Juncaceae in Flora of Somalia 4: 95-98
Plants usually perennial rhizomatous herbs. sometimes annual, rarely subwoody. Leaves mostly basal, grassl-pike r cylindrica, rarely without blades, glabrous or hairy, sheaths open or closed, sometimes with very long hairs at the thrat. Inflorescences terminal panicles, appearing lateral when the main inflorescence bract is cylindric and continues in the same direction as the stem, of solitary flowers or heads; main inflorescence bracts foliaceous, greenish or light to reddish brown, rarely black, white or yellowish. Tepals 6; sepals 6; stamens 3 or 6, shorter than the tepals; filaments linear to triangular; anthers with 2 thecae, basifixed, introrse, opening by longitudinal slits; pollen in tetrads; ovaries superior, 1- or 3-celled, with 3-many ovules; styles 3-branched. Fruits loculicidal capsules; seeds 3-many, sometimes with eliaiosomes; embryos small, straight, embedded in the endosperm.
The family Juncaceae includes 8 genera and about 310 species. It is widely distributed,, primarily in temerate regions.
Only one genus, Juncus, is present in Somaliland and Somalia.
