Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, and from Kansas east and north to the Atlantic Coast.

Habitat: Wet, saline or alkaline soils.

Flowers: June-September

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Diminutive, very slender perennial from slender rhizomes, forming dense mats; culms filiform, 2-6 cm. tall.

Leaves all basal and reduced to sheaths.

Spikelet terminal and solitary, 2-4.5 mm. long with 2-9 flowers; scales of the spikelets spirally arranged, 1.5-2 mm. long, the lowest one empty; perianth of 3-6 bristles, or none; stamens 3; style trifid, thickened at the base.

Achenes straw-colored, triangular 0.9-1.3 mm. long including the inconspicuous tubercle, which is confluent with the body of the achene.