Stems 25-90 cm. Leaf blades to 30 cm × 6 mm. Inflorescences open, 20-100-flowered, 3-25 cm; bracts navicular, margins entire; bracteoles forming epicalyx, 3-lobed, lobes acute. Flowers: tepals white, 3-4.5 mm, inner tepals longer, wider than outer; stamens 3-4 mm; ovary narrowly ovoid; styles 0.4-0.8 mm; pedicel 1.5-4 mm. Capsules broadly ellipsoid, 3-4 mm. Seeds 1-1.3 mm. Flowering late summer--fall. Savannas, pocosins, marshy ground, moist sandy soil; 0--200 m; N.C., S.C.