Plant: Tall perennial graminoid Leaves: 6-9(-12), light yellowish green, 6-12(-15) mm wide, flat but moderately convex on the back, the sheath cylindrical and open at the throat, with scarious margins tapering to the blade Inflorescence: (including stems) 2.5-4 m tall, about as long as the leaves, with the pistillate and staminate portions separated by 1-4 cm; staminate spikes 20-40 cm long, the pistillate spikes light brown, 15-25 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm thick Flowers: STAMINATE FLOWERS: pollen golden-yellow, in monads. PISTILLATE FLOWERS light brown, with obovate to oblanceolate, translucent to light brown bracts exceeding the stipe hairs, arranged on stout "compound pedicels" 0.5-0.8 mm long, these with numerous hair-like appendages, the stigma light brown, linear; surface of the main stem axis minutely bristly Fruit: ellipsoid, 0.8-1 mm long, long stalked, minute nutlets, dry, tardily dehiscent, buoyant; SEEDS albuminous, striate, with mealy endosperm Misc: In brackish or fresh marshes, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes; 300-1800 m (1000-6000 ft); Mar-Nov (fr. Jun-Jan) References: J.C. Hickman, ed. The Jepson Manual.ASU specimens. Ricketson, Jon. 2001. Sparganiaceae. J. Ariz. – Nev. Acad. Sci. Volume 33(1).