Montana Field Guide

Caespitose. Stems erect, 15–30 cm. Leaves clustered near the base; cauline blades 1–3 mm wide. Inflorescence of 5 to 10, sessile spikes, congested in an ovoid head; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes ca. 5 mm long, all similar, male flowers above, inconspicuous; female below. Perigynia ascending, lanceolate, convex, veiny, light brown, 3–4 × ca. 1.5 mm; the beak, 1–1.5 mm long, serrulate below, entire above; stigmas 2. Female scales brown with paler margins, as wide but shorter than the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Wet meadows often along streams; montane (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).