General:
Perennial herb from elongated rhizomes, the rhizomes swollen at the nodes; stems arising singly, erect, 40-85 cm tall.

Leaves:
Located on the lower part of the stem, nearly circular in cross-section, tapered, the early leaves stiff, with prominent complete cross-walls; sheaths open with short, rounded, ear-shaped lobes.

Flowers:
Inflorescence terminal, congested, of 3- to many-flowered, globe-shaped heads that are 1-1.5 cm wide when pressed; perianth segments greenish-brown to tawny, 4.5-5 mm long, pointed, the inner slightly shorter than the outer; stamens 6; anthers 0.7-1 mm long, shorter than the filaments; involucral bracts usually exceeding the inflorescence.

Fruits:
Capsules, narrowly three-angled, conical, tapered into long tips, about as long as the perianth segments or slightly longer; 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:
Mid Summer

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

Source:  The USDA