Caespitose. Stems erect, terete, 10–60 cm. Leaves basal; blades flat or inrolled, <1 mm wide; auricles rounded, <1 mm long. Inflorescence congested with 3 to 25 subsessile flowers; main bract greater than the inflorescence. Flowers with prophylls; tepals green to brown, 2–5 mm long with acute tips; stamens 6. Capsules 3–4 mm long, included, rounded and indented on top; seeds apiculate (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Moist, often disturbed soil of meadows, open forest, rock outcrops, along trails, roads, streams; valleys to lower subalpine (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).