Herbs, perennial, occasionally tufted, occasionally rhizomatous, 3–9 dm. Rhizomes, if present, short. Culms green or glaucous, 1.5–2.5 mm diam. Cataphylls several. Leaves: blade absent. Inflorescences lateral, many flowered, loose to congested, 2–9 cm; primary bract exceeding inflorescence. Flowers variously pedicellate; bracteoles membranous; tepals greenish, light brown or reddish, lanceolate, 2.3–3 mm; inner series nearly equal, margins scarious; stamens 6, filaments 0.6–1 mm, anthers 0.4–0.6 mm; style 0.1 mm. Capsules 3-locular or pseudo-3-locular, nearly globose, 2–2.7 mm, equal to or exceeding perianth. Seeds dark amber, oblate, 0.4–0.5 mm.
Phenology: Flowering and fruiting summer.
Habitat: Stream banks, lake or pond shores, ditches, and other wet places in sandy or clayey soils
Elevation: 0–1600 m
Distribution
Calif., Oreg., nw Mexico., Wash.
Discussion
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.