Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia and Alberta to Oregon, also in Arizona, and from Oklahoma east to eastern North America.

Habitat: Marshes and other wet places, from sea level to moderate elevagtions in the mountains.

Flowers: June-September

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Annual

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Tufted annual, the culms 0.5-5 dm. tall, ribbed, 0.5-2 mm. thick.

Leaves all basal and reduced to sheaths.

Spikelets ovoid, 5-13 mm. long, many-flowered; scales of the spikelets spirally arranged, 1.7-2.5 mm. long, purplish or brownish with greenish mid-stripe and paler margins, the lowest one empty; perianth of 6-7 brownish bristles, equaling the achene or wanting; stigmas 2 or sometimes 3.

Achenes lenticular, 1-1.5 mm. long, straw-colored to dark brown, smooth and shining.