Hemicarpha occidentalis A. Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 7: 391. 1868

Culms 0.5–5 cm × 0.2–0.3 mm. Leaves 0.5–3 cm × 0.5–1 mm. Inflorescences: spikes 1(–2), globose (to ovoid), 2–3 × 1.5–3 mm, bristly; bracts 2–3, 0.4–2 cm ´ 0.3–0.6 mm. Spikelets: floral scales 2; 1st scale narrowly obovate, 1.8–2.8 × 0.2–0.4 mm, widest proximal to mid length, apex long-acuminate, to 0.6–1.4 mm; 2d scale oblong, 0.6–0.8 × 0.2–0.3 mm; 3d scale absent; stamen 1; anther 0.2 mm; stigmas 2. Achenes obovoid, 0.5–0.8 × 0.3 mm, 1.5–2.5 times long as wide.

Fruiting late summer–early fall; emergent shorelines; 0–1500 m; Calif., Oreg., Wash.