Montana Field Guide

Caespitose. Stems erect, 5–45 cm. Leaves basal and lower-cauline; blades 1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 4, sessile spikes forming a tight globose cluster; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes 5–12 mm long, similar; male flowers basal. Perigynia ascending, shiny, purplish with green edges, circular, 2.5–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm with a short, distinct, entire beak; stigmas 3. Female scales blackish, narrower and ca. as long as the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, much smaller than the perigynium (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Meadows, turf, often along streams; alpine (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).