Juncaceae A family of monocotyledonous (Monocotyledoneae) herbs that are close to Liliaceae in the structure of the trimerous flowers, but these are small and inconspicuous, with tiny, chaffy perianth segments, and adapted to wind pollination. The leaves are long and narrow, and either grass-like or nearly cylindrical in form. They are of little economic value but are important ecologically, especially in poorly drained areas. There are 10 genera, with some 325 species, of cosmopolitan distribution, but centred in temperate zones.

Juncus (rush; family Juncaceae) A genus of tufted, usually perennial herbs that have entire leaves and open leaf sheaths. The inflorescence is small, with bisexual, usually brown flowers producing capsules and many seeds. There are about 225 species. Distribution is cosmopolitan, but the plants are mainly restricted to cold and wet places and are therefore rare in the tropics.