Distribution: Ocurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.

Habitat: Dunes, ledges, meadows, and open forest.

Flowers: April-June

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Cespitose perennial herb, 30-40 cm, on short rhizomes with cylindric stems, usually lacking stolons.

Leaves flat and thickened with obtuse tips; basal leaves generally 7-14 cm long and 3-4.5 mm wide; cauline leaves 1-3, 5-9 cm long and up to 4.5 mm wide.

Dense ovoid to cylindric heads, sessile, 0.6-1.3 cm long and 0.7-1 cm broad, 5-19-flowered; lower bract 1.5-7 cm.

Tepals 3.4-4 mm, typically equal, lanceolate, acuminate to acute, somewhat dark brown; stamens 6, anthers 1.5-2 mm, filaments 0.4-0.6 mm; pistil 1, 1-chambered, style 0.6-1.2 mm, stigmas 2-3.5 mm.

Capsules smaller than perianth, opening by 3 valves, ovoid and light brown; seeds 1.2-1.3 mm long and 0.9-1.1 mm broad, ovoid to nearly spheric, with white appendage at tip 0.2-0.3 mm.