Small plants that tend to form clumps; leaves narrow; spikes of tiny white 5-petaled flowers with 5 sepals with spurs (hollow sac-like appendages), spikes up to 2-1/2 inches long and found at the ends of stems.
Small annual; tends to form clumps; leaves narrow, up to 3 inches long; flower stems leafless; spikes of tiny 5-petaled, white flowers, sepals spurred; achenes have a prolonged tip, to 1/3 as long as achene body, achenes 1-1/2 to 5 times tall as wide.
Habitat
Wet areas, along streams and near springs, vernal pools (seasonal pools of water), banks of streams and lakes.
Flower Characteristics
Spikes of tiny white flowers extend beyond leaves; sepals faintly or distinctly 3 to 5-veined, thin membranous margins are narrow or absent; petal claw (narrowed base) 1 to 2 times as long as rest of the petal; nectar bearing pit at the top of the claw.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf blades narrow, 2 to 6 inches long.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is dry, does not split open when ripe, <1/8 inch long with a short beak (narrow or prolonged tip).