Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.

Habitat: Alpine to subalpine meadows, streambanks, talus slopes and ridges.

Flowers: June-September

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Densely tufted perennials, forming small mats, the numerous flowering stems terete, 15-35 cm. tall.

Leaves bladeless or with bristle-like blades 2-5 mm. long; leaf bases sheathing, the sheaths 2-6 cm. long.

Flowers 1-3, closely spaced but discrete, each subtended by two brownish, membranous bracts, the involucral bract 1-2 cm. long, mostly terete, erect, sharp-pointed; perianth 5-7 mm. long, the 6 segments subequal, lanceolate, pointed, green with broad, membranous, brown margins; stamens 6.

Capsule slightly exceeding the perianth, blunt, with a very shallow notch on each valve.