Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Crater Lake and the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, east to Alberta, Montana, and northwestern Wyoming.

Habitat: Montane forests to alpine slopes, ridges and meadows.

Flowers: July-September

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Grass-like perennial from strong rhizomes, the stems single or tufted, 1.5-5 dm. tall.

Basal leaves several; cauline leaves 4-5, the blades 2-6 cm. long and 4-10 mm. broad, with soft hairs near the base.

: Inflorescence a loose, nodding to erect panicle 3-8 cm. long; bracts brownish, finely lacerate; flowers mostly single, deep brown or purplish-brown; perianth about 3 mm. long, the 6 segments broadly lanceolate, acuminate; stamens 6, the anthers 0.8-1.2 mm. long, much longer than the filaments; style nearly 1 mm. long, stigmas 2 mm. long.

Capsule ovoid, purplish-brown, equalling the perianth.