Caespitose. Stems erect, terete, 6–35 cm. Leaves basally disposed; blades reduced to a bristle, sheaths brown; auricles absent. Inflorescence congested with 1 to 3 short-pedicellate flowers; main bract terete, erect, ca. as long as the inflorescence. Flowers with prophylls; tepals brown to purplish, 4–7 mm long, acuminate; stamens 6. Capsules 3–7 mm long, indented on top; seeds with long appendages (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Moist meadows, open forest, turf, often along streams, around boulders, or where snow accumulates; subalpine to alpine (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).