Montana Field Guide

Densely caespitose. Stems 30–80 cm, clustered on short rhizomes. Leaves: blades 2–4 mm wide; basal sheaths brown. Inflorescence open-cymose; nearly all spikelets pedunculate. Spikelets 3–5 mm long. Scales 1.5–2 mm long, reddish-brown to black with a green midvein, tip rounded, sometimes apiculate. Flowers: bristles 6, contorted, smooth, white, longer than the scales; stigmas 3. Achene 2- or 3-sided, whitish, 0.5–1 mm long (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Marshes around ponds, reservoirs; valleys (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).