Family, Arrow Grass. Flowers: The perianth consists of 3 sepals and 3 petals, all alike in size and color. In front of each a large, sessile anther stands. Pistils 6, united into a compound pistil. The fruit splits, when ripe, into 6 carpels. The small flowers form a terminal, long raceme, or spike, the stalk or leafless scape springing from the root. Leaves narrow, fleshy, growing from the base of the flower-stalk which they clasp.

Salt marshes along the coast and in fresh bogs inland.