Juncus amabilis Edgar

Slender close-packed clumps; rhizome short. Stems 45–120 cm × (1)–1.5–2.5 mm, hard, erect, bluish-green, ridged, dull, pith irregularly interrupted. Basal sheaths closely appressed, loose, dark red-purple, ± black below. Inflorescence 5–10 cm long with up to 5 very slender erect branches, 1–2 longer than rest and branched again. Flowers small, clustered at branchlet tips. Tepals 1.5–2 mm long, ± equal, acute. Stamens 3–(4). Capsule 2–2.5 mm long, usually noticeably > tepals, ovoid, tapered to subacute top, reddish-brown.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]