Herbs, perennial, 3--14 dm. Rhizomes long- creeping. Culms erect, 1--3 mm diam. Cataphylls several. Leaves: blade absent. Inflorescences lateral, 3--many-flowered, mostly loose; primary bract much longer than inflorescence. Flowers variously pedicellate; bracteoles membranous; tepals green, lanceolate, 5--8 mm, margins brown; inner series loosely subtending capsule at maturity, usually slightly shorter, margins scarious to clear, acutish; stamens 6, filaments 0.2--1.1 mm, anthers 0.9--2.3 mm; style 1--1.5 mm. Capsules 3-locular, oblate to narrowly ovoid, 4--7 mm, shorter than or nearly equal to perianth. Seeds dark amber, oblate to ellipsoid, 0.4--0.7 mm.

Flowering and fruiting summer. Borders of salt or freshwater marshes and usually near dunes along the coast; 0--500 m; B.C.; Calif., Oreg., Wash.