General:
Perennial herb from elongated rhizomes, the rhizomes with swollen nodes; stems arising singly, erect, 20-40 cm tall.

Leaves:
Located along the length of the stem, nearly circular in cross-section, tapered, the early leaves stiff, with prominent complete cross-walls; sheaths open, with minute, pointed, ear-shaped lobes.

Flowers:
Inflorescence terminal, 3-5 cm long, with (1) 3- to 15-flowered, globe-shaped heads, the heads less than 1 cm wide when pressed, the branches erect; perianth segments greenish-brown to tawny, 3-4 mm long, pointed, the inner about the same length as the outer; stamens 6; anthers 0.6-0.7 mm long, shorter than the filaments; involucral bract longer than inflorescence.

Fruits:
Capsules, narrowly three-angled, cone-shaped, pointed, uniformly tapered into short tips, longer than the perianth segments; seeds barrel-like, about 0.4 mm long, lacking tail-like appendages.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Flower Colour:
Green

Blooming Period:
Summer

Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present from Summer to Fall

Source:  The USDA