Herbs, erect or ascending, rarely rooting at nodes. Stems not flexuous, 25--70 cm, densely puberulent to glabrescent. Leaves gradually narrowed into sheath; blade light green, elliptic-lanceolate, 7--39 ´ 1.5--4.5 cm (distal leaf blades wider than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), minutely puberulent to glabrescent. Inflorescences terminal, usually also axillary from distal nodes; bracts foliaceous. Flowers distinctly pedicillate; pedicels 1.5--3 cm, densely puberulent; sepals green, 6--9 mm, glandular-puberulent or mixed glandular- and eglandular-puberulent; petals distinct, white to pale mauve, rarely bright pink, broadly ovate, not clawed, 1--1.2 cm; stamens free; filaments bearded. Capsules 8--10 mm. Seeds 3--4 mm. 2n = 12.

Flowering late winter--spring (Feb--May). Rich woods, and along moist terraces and ravines; Tex.