Distribution: Alaska to California, east to Idaho, and throughout northeastern United states.

Habitat: Sphagnum bogs and other wet places, lowlands to mid-elevations in the mountains

Flowers: July-August

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Densely tufted perennial, the slender culms 1.5-5 dm. tall.

Cauline leaves several, the lowest reduced to scales, the others slender and elongate, channeled to flat.

Inflorescence of 1-3 compact, head-like clusters 5-15 mm. wide, the terminal one the largest, subtended by a single bract about equal to the head; the lateral ones, when present, on peduncles and arising from the sheaths of leaves; spikelets light brown, 3.5-5 mm. long, 2-flowered; perianth of 10-12 stiff bristles, longer than the achene; scales subtending the flowers scarious, with 1-2 empty scales below and above the flowers; stamens usually 3; style bifid, the branches elongate.

Achenes lenticular, bi-convex, 1.5-2 mm. long, tapered to a narrow base and capped by an elongate, narrow tubercle.