Hemicarpha micrantha (Vahl) Pax var. aristulata Coville, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 21: 36. 1894; H. aristulata (Coville) Smyth; H. intermedia Piper

Culms 2–15 cm × 0.3–0.5 mm. Leaves 1–6 cm × 0.4–0.6 mm. Inflorescences: spikes 1–2, ovoid (to globose), 1–5(–8) × 1–2.5 mm; bracts 1–2, longest erect, 1–3.5 cm × 0.3–0.5 mm. Spikelets: floral scales 2; 1st scale light brown to reddish brown, with greenish midvein, obtrullate to rhomboid, 0.9–1.6 × 0.3–0.6 mm, widest at mid length, long-acuminate, curving outward; 2d scale oblong, veinless (occasionally 2–4 reddish veins), 0.5–0.8 × 0.2 mm; 3d scale absent; stamens 1; anthers 0.2 mm; stigmas 2. Achenes obovoid to terete, 0.5–0.8 × 0.25–0.35 mm, 1.5–2.5 times long as wide.

Fruiting late summer–early fall. Typically on sandy soils, emergent shorelines, stream banks, ponds, ditches; 0–1500 m; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Kans., Minn., Mo., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., Oreg., Tex., Wash., Wyo.