Montana Field Guide

Stems 30–80 cm, clustered on short rhizomes. Leaves: blades 4–8 mm wide; basal sheaths green to tan. Inflorescence of few or several globose heads on short peduncles. Spikelets 2–5 mm long. Scales 1–1.5 mm long, blackish with pale midribs; tip acute to apiculate. Flowers: bristles 6, straight or curved, white, spinulose, ca. as long as the achene; stigmas 3. Achene obscurely 3-sided, white to light brown, ca. 1 mm long (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Fresh-water marshes; valleys (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).