Montana Field Guide

Rhizomatous. Stems erect, terete, 20–60 cm, sometimes tufted. Leaves basal and cauline; blades terete, septate, 1–2 mm wide; auricles acute to rounded, 1–3 mm long. Inflorescence open with erect to ascending branches and several clusters, 5–10 mm across, of 5 to 11 flowers each; main bract shorter than the inflorescence. Flowers: prophylls absent; tepals purple or brown, 3–4 mm long, acuminate; inner slightly smaller; stamens 6. Capsules 2.5–4 mm long, rounded on top; seeds apiculate (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety badius (Suksd.) C.L.Hitchc.

Moist to wet, sometimes gravelly soil around ponds, lakes, streams, rarely fens; valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).