Stems 3-24(-33) cm. Leaves: basal leaves 0-3, ± same size as cauline leaves; cauline leaves subulate-lanceolate, 2-8 × 0.3-1.2 mm. Inflorescences 2-25-flowered cymes, usually appearing capitate (rarely less contracted), or occasionally flower solitary; cyme rachis usually absent, rarely to 6 mm; floral bracts subulate to lanceolate, 1.5-4 mm. Flowers 3-ribbed or slightly 3-winged, 2-6 mm; perianth cream-colored to white, sometimes tinged with blue or green; perianth tube (3- or) 6-lobed, to 0.8 mm wide; outer lobes usually incurved, triangular, 0.3-0.5 mm, margins involute; inner lobes absent or linear to elliptic, to 0.3 mm; pedicel 0-1 mm. Capsules 1.5-3 mm.

Flowering mostly late summer--fall. Low woods, pond margins, savannas, bogs, swamps, ditches; 0--100 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tex.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America (to Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil).

Chromosome counts of this species are not known from our region. A count of 2n = ca. 136 was reported for collections from Argentina.