Montana Field Guide

Rhizomatous. Stems erect, 15–60 cm. Leaves: basal bladeless; cauline blades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence of 4 to 12 overlapping spikes in an oblong to ovoid cluster; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes sessile, similar, ascending, ovoid, 5–10 mm long; sometimes unisexual or male flowers above few female. Perigynia erect, broadly ovate, brown, shiny, glabrous, ca. 2 mm long with a beak up to 0.5 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scales ovate, tan with pale margins and midvein, hiding the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Wet, often organic soil of fens, wet meadows; valleys, montane (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).