It generally grows in moist habitat types, such as riverbanks and wet meadows.

It is an annual plant forming a small tuft up to about 12 cm (5 in) tall.

The leaves are linear and narrow, sometimes threadlike, and up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in length.

The inflorescence produces a single flower which has an elongated, cylindrical or cone-shaped receptacle up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long.

At the base of the receptacle are curving, spurred sepals, five petals up to 3 mm (0 in) long, and ten stamens.