Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to Alberta and western Montana; also in northeastern United States.

Habitat: Fields, meadows, open woods and clearings, at low to middle elevations in the mountains.

Flowers: May-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Densely to loosely tufted perennials, the stems 10-40 cm. tall.

Basal leaves 3.5-12 cm. long and 2-6 mm. broad; cauline leaves similar, not overlapping, equaling or exceeding the inflorescence.

Inflorescence of 3-16 cylindric clusters, 1 or 2 sessile, the others pedunculate, each cluster with 8-16 flowers; secondary branches sometimes present, usually straight and erect; perianth straw-colored to brown, with clear margins, 2-4 mm. long; 6 tepals of equal length, pointed; anthers up to twice as long as the filaments; style deciduous in fruit.

Capsule globose, pale to brown to black, usually shorter than the perianth.