Herbs, perennial, 10--20 dm. Rhizomes long- creeping. Culms erect, 2--5 mm diam. Cataphylls several. Leaves: blade absent. Inflorescences lateral, many flowered, loose; primary bract barely exceeding to many times longer than inflorescence. Flowers variously pedicellate; bracteoles membranous; tepals greenish to pale brown, lanceolate, 3.5--5 mm; inner series loosely subtending capsule at maturity, usually slightly shorter, margins scarious to clear, acutish; stamens 6, filaments 0.3--0.9 mm, anthers 1--2.5 mm; style 1--1.5 mm. Capsules dark brown, 3-locular, oblate to narrowly ovoid, 3--4 mm, nearly equal to perianth. Seeds dark amber, oblate to ellipsoid, 0.5--0.8 mm.

Flowering and fruiting summer. Moist or wet exposed areas; 100--1800 m; Calif.