Stems 3-12(-14) dm. Leaves 10-45(-60) × 0.5-2.8 cm. Inflorescences densely ovoid in flower, cylindric in fruit, 3-13 × 2-3 cm; bracts ovate, 1-2 mm. Tepals 5-7 mm; pedicel (7-)10-17(-20) mm. Capsules 5-7 mm. Seeds 4-5 × 1.5-2 mm. 2n = 32. Flowering late spring--summer. Dry or mesic wooded slopes, meadows, savannas; 0--1500 m; Ala., Ark., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Okla., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.