Rhizomatous. Stems erect, terete, 15–50 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades terete, septate, 0.5–2 mm wide; auricles rounded, ca. 1 mm long. Inflorescence open with erect to spreading branches and several clusters of 6 to 30 spreading flowers; main bract greater than the inflorescence. Flowers: prophylls absent; tepals green to light brown, 2.5–4 mm long, acuminate; subequal; stamens usually 6. Capsules 4–5 mm long, long-tapered to the beak; seeds apiculate (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Wet meadows, wet gravelly soil along streams, ponds, lakes; plains, valleys, rarely montane (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).