Herbs, annual, cespitose, 0.3--1 dm. Culms to 20. Leaves basal; auricles absent; blade 0.5--2.5 cm  ã 0.5 mm. Inflorescences: glomerules 1--2, each with 2--10(--14) flowers; bracts subtending inflorescence 1(--2), foliose, clearly surpassing inflorescence. Flowers: tepals 6, tan to brownish, subulate, lanceolate-ovate, 3.5--4.5(--5) mm, 2 times length of inner tepals, margins scarious; inner series delicate, shorter, apex acute; stamens 3, filaments 1 mm, anthers 0.5 mm; style 0.4--0.7 mm. Capsules tan to reddish brown, 3-locular, globose to obovoid, 1.2--1.7 mm, shorter than tepals. Seeds ellipsoid-ovoid, 0.3--0.4 mm. 2n = 18. Flowering and fruiting spring. Moist to wet areas, usually in sandy, often disturbed soil such as roadsides or along trails; below 1000 m; introduced; Calif., La., Okla., Tex.; native, Africa (north); Europe, Asia (Near East).