Widest leaf 2.7–4.5(–5.3) mm wide. Inflorescence: longest peduncle of staminate spike 0.9–7.2(–11.4) cm; terminal spike usually surpassed by bract blade of distal lateral spike. Peryginia (8–)11–15-veined, 2.5–3.3 mm, apex barely excurved. 2n = 48.

Fruiting spring–early summer. Mesic to dry-mesic, deciduous or mixed deciduous-evergreen forests, mixed soils; 0–1000 m; N.S., Ont., Que.; Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.