Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across the northern U.S. and Canada to the Atlantic Coast; circumboreal.

Habitat: Streambanks, wet meadows, and marshes, from the lowlands to moderate elevations in the mountains.

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Rhizomatous annual, the stems not dimorphic, 2-8 dm. tall, with 5 to 10 deep grooves, the ridges smooth; stomates in a single, broad band in each furrow; central cavity less than 1/3 the diameter of the stem; sheathes green, 5-10 mm. long, with persistent teeth 3-7 mm. long, black or dark brown with broad, pale, papery margins.

Branches few and irregular to many and whorled, 5- to 6-angled, simple.

Cones pedunculate, blunt, deciduous.