Stems scapelike, with 0-4 leaves progressively reduced distally, 30-85 cm. Leaves to 50 cm × 5 mm, with short sheathing base and much longer blade arising abaxially. Inflorescences 3-8-flowered, 5-20 cm; bracts sheathing, 2-7 cm, apex aristate; bracteoles 3, distinct to base or connate to 3/4 their length, 3.5-8 mm, forming sheathing involucre ca. mid pedicel. Flowers: tepals white to yellowish, 9-17 × 2-4 mm, outer series slightly longer and wider; filaments to 5.5 mm; anthers to 4 mm; ovary narrowly conical, ca. 5 mm; styles 1-1.8 mm; pedicel 1-3.5 cm. Capsules 5.5-9 mm, coriaceous. Seeds deep reddish brown, 1-1.5 mm, with appendage 1-2 times longer than seed at one end and sometimes a much shorter one at opposite end. 2n = 30.

Flowering late summer--autumn. Savannas, pocosins, marshy ground; 0--100 m; Ala., Fla., N.C., S.C.