Culms 2-12 cm × (0.2-)0.3-0.5 mm. Leaves 1-3 cm × 0.3-0.6 mm; longest involucral leaf ± erect. Inflorescences: spikes 1-2(-3), ovoid (to globose), 1-5(-6) × 1-2 mm, not bristly; bracts 1-2, longest erect, 0.5-2 cm × 0.3-0.5 mm. Spikelets: floral scales 2; 1st scale light brown to reddish brown, with greenish midvein, obtrullate, 0.9-1.3 × 0.3-0.6 mm, widest above mid length, long-acuminate; 2d scale reddish brown distally, with 2-4 reddish veins, oblong, 0.5-0.8 × 0.2 mm; 3d scale absent; stamen 1; anther 0.2 mm; stigmas 2. Achenes obovoid, terete, 0.5-0.75 × 0.25-0.35 mm, 1.5-2.5 times long as wide. Fruiting late summer-early fall. Emergent shorelines, usually sandy soils; 0-1200 m; Ariz., Ark., Ill., Ind., Kans., Mo., Nebr., N.Mex., Ohio, Okla., Tex., Wis.