Dioecious, rhizomatous. Stems erect, 5–30 cm. Leaves lower-cauline; blades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 15 spikes; densely clustered in an ovoid head; lowest bract usually shorter than the inflorescence. Spikes unisexual, sessile, ascending; female ovoid, 8–15 mm long; male lanceolate. Perigynia erect, lanceolate, green to tan, glabrous, 3.5–4.5 mm long including the slender beak 1–2 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scales ovate, tan with pale margins and midvein, hiding the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, partly filling the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Moist, often compacted or disturbed soil of grasslands, meadows, stream or lake terraces; plains, valleys, montane (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).