Tufted perennial up to 80cm. Leaves strap-shaped, soft; flowers in cymes, dark brown. (cyme: an inflorescence in which each successive branch ends in a flower; the next flower arising in the axil of a bract).

Latin: iuncus = a rush, referring to the resemblance of this genus to rush-like plants.

Greek: loma = the hem or border of a robe, phyllon = leaf; referring to the margin of the leaf.