Annual with mostly erect stems; often much branched above with yellowish-green or bluish-green foliage. Narrow leaves have jagged brown sheaths at their bases. Small clusters of greenish or yellowish flowers grow at the leaf bases on a spike-like stalk.
Stems mostly erect; leaves erect, narrow, reduced upward, tip pointed, sheath at base; flowers in small spike-like clusters scattered along stems at leaf bases, petals, sepals greenish, yellowish, margins greenish-yellow or yellow, rarely pink or white.
Habitat
Usually moist habitats. Sometimes found in saline areas or coastal marshes but more widespread inland.
Flower Characteristics
2 to 5 small flowers grow in erect clusters from the upper leaf axils (between the leaf and stem). Each flower is 5-parted, 1/8 inch long, with a deep lobe. The petals and petal-like sepals are joined at the base with the outer 3 longer than the inner 2.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are smooth often growing to about 3 feet but may be as tall as 6 feet. Leaves are flat and narrow with thickened joints or nodes at the base. Branch leaves are much smaller than those on the stem. A sheath (ocrea) is found at the base of the leaf.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is about 1/8 inch, dry, oval, 3-angled, smooth to rough, shiny or dull, sometimes with small rounded projections on its surface. Fruit is enclosed in or longer than the petals and sepals. Late season fruits are common and larger growing to 3/4 inch.
Each fruit produces 1 seed. The fruit does not split open to release the seed when mature.