Montana Field Guide

Caespitose. Stems erect, 20–80 cm. Leaves: basal blades absent; cauline blades 2–3 mm wide. Inflorescence somewhat nodding, of 4 to 8 sessile, well-separated spikes. Spikes 4–8 mm long, all similar; female flowers above male. Perigynia erect, green to brown, ovate, narrowly wing-margined, 3.5–4 × 1.5–2 mm long gradually tapering to the indistinct, serrulate beak, 1–1.5 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scales pale tan with hyaline margins, shorter than the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, just smaller than the perigynium (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Riparian meadows; valleys (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).