Horizontal stems flat in cross section, evergreen, tightly anchored by roots, year's growth 3--12 X 0.9--1.1 cm; leaves 3.5--6 X 1.2--2 mm, facing upward, spreading and appearing 2-ranked, broadly adnate, slightly subulate, median leaves 3.5--4 X 0.3--0.6 mm, nearly erect. Peduncle 1--(2--3), 5--30 cm, leaves 2--3 X 0.3--0.6 mm, in remote appressed pseudowhorls. Strobilus 1.5--9 X 0.3--0.5 mm. 2 n = 70, 140.

Wet meadows, ditches, pinewoods, and bogs, often with sphagnum moss; 0--50 m; Ala., Del., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Miss., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tex., Va.; Mexico; Central America; South America; Asia; Africa.