It is a perennial flowering plant in the family Juncaceae.

It can reach a height of about 75 centimetres (29+1⁄2 inches).

[1] It is native to north-western Europe from Spain to northern European Russia, most of North America except the south-eastern United States, parts of Mexico and Central America, and western and southern South America from Colombia to Argentina.

[2] It is available from specialist nurseries for landscaping and soil stabilization purposes.

[1] As of March 2024[update], Plants of the World Online accepted seven subspecies:[2]