Herbs, perennial, cespitose, 5--10 dm. Culms erect, 2--5 mm diam., smooth. Cataphylls 1--2, straw-colored, apex rounded. Leaves: basal 0--1, cauline 2--3; auricles 0.2--0.4 mm, apex obtuse, leathery; blade terete, 2.5--22 cm x 1.3--4 mm, smooth. Inflorescences panicles of 30--100 heads, 3--9 cm, stiffly erect or ascending branches; primary bract erect; heads 2--8-flowered, obconic, 4--8 mm diam. Flowers: tepals green to reddish brown, lanceolate; outer tepals 2.5--2.8 mm, acuminate; inner tepals 2.8--3.5 mm, acute; stamens 3--6, anthers 1/2 filament length. Capsules exserted, chestnut brown, 3-locular, ovoid-pyramidal, 4--5 mm, apex acuminate, valves separating at dehiscence.. Seeds fusiform, 1.8--2.6 mm, tailed; body covered with whitish. translucent veil. Fruiting early fall--early winter (fruit often persisting until spring). Wet pinewoods, pine barrens, bogs, hammocks, roadsides, and seepy areas; 0--200 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex.