Leaves 2--15 dm xx 3--6 mm. Inflorescences 1--5(--11) heads; heads usually globose. Flowers: outer tepals 2.7--3.6(--4) mm; inner tepals 2.2--3(--3.5) mm; stamens 3. Capsules included to slightly exserted, oblong-ovoid to ellipsoid, 2.4--3.5 mm. Seeds 0.4--0.6, not tailed. 2n = 40.

Fruiting summer. Wet meadows, marshy areas, wet granite areas, shores, banks and ditches, often montane; 400--3000 m; Alta., B.C., Ont., Que., Sask.; Alaska, Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Y., Oreg., S.Dak., Utah, Wash., Wis., Wyo.; Mexico (s to Veracruz, Puebla, Guerrero); Europe; e Asia.

This species is probably introduced in Wisconsin and New York as well as in northern Europe.