Stems 3.5-8.5 dm, distal portions woolly. Leaves: basal leaves smaller than proximal cauline leaves; cauline leaves erect, linear; proximal leaf blade 8-40 cm × 3-16 mm, decreasing in size distally, glabrous. Inflorescences corymbose, open. Flowers: tepals reflexed at anthesis, yellow, triangular, 3-4 × 1-2 mm, densely woolly abaxially, apex brownish to maroon, adaxial crest bright yellow; stamens erect-spreading at anthesis, 1.5-3 mm; style persistent, ± equaling stamens, stigmatic area slightly 3-lobed. Capsules enclosed by tepals before dehiscence, 3-4 mm diam.; beak prominent. Seeds whitish, 1-1.5 × 0.5 mm; seed coat finely open-reticulate. Flowering early summer. Wet, acid, often sandy soil of bogs, pocosins, low, wet areas in savannas and pine barrens, roadside ditches; 0--100 m; N.S.; Ala., Del., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.J., N.C.