It is native to the eastern United States, where today it occurs in Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

[3] This rhizomatous perennial grass produces compressed, blue-green stems up to 75 centimeters tall.

[2] This species requires regimes of natural disturbance to keep the habitat open, such as flooding and wildfire.

One threat to its survival is fire suppression, which allows taller plants and trees to grow into the habitat.

It is threatened by direct habitat loss to development and agriculture.