This section is from the book "Harper's Guide To Wild Flowers", by Caroline A. Creevey. Also available from Amazon: Harper's Guide To Wild Flowers.
This species may be known by its long, narrow leaves whorled on the stem. Color, a greenish white or purplish. Basal leaves wanting, but a few are scattered singly on the stem. Flowers in short spikes, larger below, leading to a point. A bract stands behind each separate flower, and falls with the flower. 6 to 12 inches high. June to November.
Common in fields in dry or moist soil all along the Atlantic coast.
 
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