Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest; Alaska to California, east to Montana, Idaho, and Utah, also from northern Great Plains east to the Atlantic Coast.

Habitat: Quiet, shallow water 2-8 dm. deep,

Flowers: July-August

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Aquatic perennials from rhizomes, the slender, weak, sub-terete stems 20-80 cm. long.

Leaves elongate, weak, from near the base, the upper portion usually floating, or the plant occasionally terrestrial with erect stem and leaves.

Inflorescence a solitary, light brown spikelet 7-12 mm. long, subtended by a bract 1.5-6 cm. long that looks like a continuation of the stem; flowers subtended by thin translucent scales 4-6 mm. long; perianth of 2-6 bristles about equal to the achene; stamens 3; style trifid.

Achenes triangular, 2.5-3.8 mm. long, including the slender beak.