Leaves 0.3-1 mm wide, hard, stiff, nearly glabrous or with scattered trichomes near base. Scape (5-)6-16(-19) cm. Inflorescences racemose, 1-2(-3)-flowered; proximal 2 flowers, when present, not paired; bracts 1-7(-12) mm. Flowers: tepals 6-13(-15) × 2-4 mm, usually shorter than pedicel, longer than ovary; anthers (1.3-)1.8-3.3 mm; ovary obconic, (2-)3-5(-7) × 1.5-2.5 mm, densely pubescent; pedicel (5-)10-26(-28) mm, usually 2+ times longer than bracts. Seeds black, lustrous, 0.7-1 mm, with low, rounded sculpturing. Flowering year round, most commonly in spring. Seasonally flooded pinelands; 0--100 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., N.C., S.C.