Leaves (8–)10–20(–26) mm wide, soft, stiff, sparsely to densely pubescent, old leaf bases persisting as bristles. Scape (4–)6–13(–18) cm. Inflorescences racemose, 1–2(–4)-flowered; proximal 2 flowers, when present, not paired; bracts (2–)3–5(–6) mm. Flowers: tepals 5–8(–10) × 1.4–2.5 mm, longer than pedicel, longer than ovary; anthers 1.5–3.5 mm; ovary oblanceoloid, 3–5(–7) × 2–3 mm, densely pilose; pedicel (2–)3–8(–15) mm, usually less than 2 times as long as bracts. Seeds black, lustrous, 1–1.3 mm, with rounded pebbling.

Flowering spring--summer. Seasonally flooded pinelands and bogs; 0--100 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., S.C., Tex.