Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, to 8 dm. . Rhizomes 5--6 mm diam., nodes not swollen. Culms erect, terete, 3 mm diam., smooth. Cataphylls 1, straw-colored, apex acute. Leaves: basal 1, cauline 2; auricles 0.5 mm, apex rounded, cartilaginous; blade 7--45 cm x 1--2 mm, terete, not scabrous. Inflorescences terminal panicles of 70--120 heads, 6--10 cm, branches ascending; primary bract erect; heads 3--5(--8)-flowered, obconic, 2--4 mm diam. Flowers: tepals dark reddish brown, lanceolate, apex acuminate to subulate tipte; outer tepals 1.9--2.2 mm; inner tepals 2--2.3 mm; stamens 6, anthers 2 times filament length. Capsules inserted with beak exserted, straw-colored, 1-locular, narrowly ovoid, 2.3--2.4 mm, tapering to subulate tip, valves separating at dehiscence. Seeds narrowly ovoid, 0.5--0.6 mm, not tailed; body clear yellow-brown.

Fruiting fall. Wet woods; 0--10 m; St. Pierre and Miquelon; Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.); Europe; Asia; Africa..