Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest along the coast in Washington; Alaska to Oregon; northern Pacific Rim.

Habitat: Sandy saltwater beaches and dunes.

Flowers: June-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Perennial grass-like herb to 30 cm tall, from buried rhizomes.

narrow, grass-like, to over 30 cm long, from base of stem.

Tiny and inconspicuous, lacking petals, with male and femal flowers on separate plants; in large dense spikes 3-8 cm long at tip of stem.

Achene, enclosed by a papery sheath (perigynia)

A very distinctive species for a sedge; its coastal habitat and large dense spikes are unmistakable.