Culms 2-15 cm × 0.3-0.5 mm. Leaves 1-6 cm × 0.4-0.6 mm. Inflorescences: spikes 1-2, ovoid (to globose), 1-5(-8) × 1-2.5 mm; bracts 1-2, longest erect, 1-3.5 cm × 0.3-0.5 mm. Spikelets: floral scales 2; 1st scale light brown to reddish brown, with greenish midvein, obtrullate to rhomboid, 0.9-1.6 × 0.3-0.6 mm, widest at mid length, long-acuminate, curving outward; 2d scale oblong, veinless (occasionally 2-4 reddish veins), 0.5-0.8 × 0.2 mm; 3d scale absent; stamens 1; anthers 0.2 mm; stigmas 2. Achenes obovoid to terete, 0.5-0.8 × 0.25-0.35 mm, 1.5-2.5 times long as wide. Fruiting late summer-early fall. Typically on sandy soils, emergent shorelines, stream banks, ponds, ditches; 0-1500 m; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Kans., Minn., Mo., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., Oreg., Tex., Wash., Wyo.