Leaves ovate to broadly lanceolate, tubulose but not concave or cucullate, apex acute, margins usually entire; costa often ending before the apex.

Capsules mature June--July. Moist, often alkaline soil, banks, frost boils, lake shores, friable shale, near streams and seacoasts; 0--2890 m; Greenland; B.C., Alta., Man., N.B., Nfld. (and Labr.), Nun., Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon; Alaska, Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., N.Mex., Nebr., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.; s South America, Europe; Asia; Australia; New Zealand; Antarctica.