Wetlands are associated with a wide range of specially adapted plant species giving food and shelter to a variety of animal life. Obligate wetland plants possess adaptive characteristics that allow them to occur in wetlands almost their entire life cycle. They can also be referred to as wetland indicators. Identification of these indicators can assist in determining the status of specific wetland functioning and changes in functioning over time.

The Juncaceae family is a group of plants consisting of eight genera, they are a large family of monocots (grass-like flowering plants) which dominates wetlands. These emergent herbaceous plants often inhabit shallow waters in marshes, along lakeshores or tidal creeks, due to their ability to intercept sunlight before it reaches the water's surface. They often dominate and out-compete floating-leaved, submerged, and other obligate plant species in these habitats.

Of the Juncaceae family Juncus lomatophyllus is an unusual sedge with broad, spreading perennial and dense leaves. Its name is derived from the Latin word ”jungere” which means ‘to tie or bind’. The stems of some species are used to make cord.

The species occurs permanently in wet places, along streams and often develops into a distinct zone surrounding pools. They often grow along riverbanks and as it grows larger it floats on the water surface and their seeds are dispersed by animals and water.

It is a widely spread species, endemic to South Africa. It is also locally abundant in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, for example, with observations at some wetlands in Swartboskloof along the Panorama hiking trail.