Rhizomes horizontal, stout. Culms 15--48 cm. Leaves: basal leaf sheaths bluish green; basal leaves bluish green, abruptly tapered, less than 19 cm x 3--5 mm, apex long. Inflorescences with glomerules crowded at ends of uneven peduncles; glomerules each with 3--12 flowers, central glomerules sessile or nearly sessile; peduncles arching in all directions; proximal inflorescence bract inconspicuous, 2--3 cm; bracteoles clear, margins ciliate. Flowers: tepals pale to dark brown (apex acute), 1.5--2 mm, apex acute; anthers ± equaling filament length. Capsules pale to dark brown-purple, shorter than tepals; (beak short). Seeds brown, oblong-ovoid, 1.1--1.2 mm; caruncle absent. 2n = 24.

Flowering and fruiting summer. Alpine to subalpine moist or wet places; 2000--3500 m; Calif., Oreg.

Luzula subcongesta has bluish green basal leaves, tapered abruptly to the long apex.

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