Culms 2-20 cm × 0.3-0.5 mm. Leaves 1.5-10 cm × 0.3-0.5 mm. Inflorescences: spikes 1-2(-3), ovoid (to globose), 1-3(-5) × 1-2 mm, not bristly; bracts 1-2(-3), longest erect, others spreading, 2-5 cm × 0.3-0.6 mm. Spikelets: floral scales 2; 1st scale laterally yellowish to reddish brown, with green midvein, obtrullate to obovate, widest at or distal to mid length, 0.5-1 × 0.3-0.4 mm; 2d scale 2-fid, sometimes absent, 0.1-0.2 × 0.1 mm; 3d scale absent; stamen 1; anther 0.1-0.2 mm; stigmas 2. Achenes obovoid to broadly ellipsoid, 0.4-0.6(-0.7) × 0.2-0.3 mm, 1.5-2.5 times long as wide. Fruiting late summer-early fall. Emergent shorelines, rarely freshwater tidal shores; 0-1500 m; B.C, Ont., Que.; Ala., Ariz., Calif., Conn., Fla., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., Tex., Va., Wash., Wis.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America; Africa.