Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in northeastern Washington; Alaska to Washington, east across the northern U.S.and Canada to the Atlantic Coast; circumboreal.

Habitat: Moist, swampy places, especially in coniferous forests.

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Rhizomatous, evergreen perennial, the stems all alike, prostrate or ascending, firm, 0.7-2.5 dm. tall and 0.5-1 mm. thick, 6-grooved and angled, alternating grooves shallower and deeper; stomates in two rows in each principal furrow, sunken below the level of the epidermis; central cavity none; sheaths short and flaring, with a broad, black band above the green base; teeth of the sheath 3, thin and fragile, bristle-tipped, 1-2 mm. long.

Unbranched, or with a few long branches from near the base.

Cone small, 3-5 mm. long, sub-sessile, sharp pointed.