Annual or perennial, mostly tuberous, wetland or aquatic herbs. Leaves basal, linear and with a sheathing base. Flower clusters in racemes or spikes. Flowers small, bisexual, 3-parted. Perianth segments 6 in 2 whorls, soon shed. Stamens 6. Carpels (3)6, united and each containing 1 ovule. Fruits indehiscent and separating at maturity

Occasionally grown in wetland gardens for the interesting forms. Closely related to Alismataceae and Butomaceae.

About 20 species in 4 genera, cosmopolitan but mostly of cool temperate regions.Australia has 2 genera and about 14 species.

Plants emergent with basal leaves; perianth not divided into sepals and petals; ovules 1 per carpel.

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Juncaginaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.