Rhizomatous. Stems erect, 3–15 cm, solitary. Leaves basal and lower-cauline; blades 0.5–2 mm wide. Inflorescence a solitary bractless spike. Spike narrow, 5–12 mm long; male flowered portion 3–8 mm long; female flowers below, few. Perigynia ovoid, ribbed, 2–3 mm long, purplish, with a distinct, entire, bidentate beak 0.5–1 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales hyaline with a tan center, apiculate, nearly concealing the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, filling the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Mesic grasslands, meadows, turf, fellfields; valleys to alpine, more common lower (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).