Stems procumbent to erect, branches not twisted, 10-30 cm, glabrous. Leaves green to bluish green, (3-)10-25(-20) × 0.5-1 mm, base hyaline, sometimes with sparsely bristled margins, apex stiffly spine-tipped. Bracts ± 3 times perianth length. Bracteoles 1-2 times perianth length. Seeds 1.5-2 mm. 2n = 54.

Flowering mid summer. Dry places, such as bare limestone flats; 100-300 m; introduced; Ont.; Ill., N.Y.; Europe.

Reports of this species are increasingly rare, perhaps due to loss of habitat.