Inflorescence is a dense cluster borne individually on one side of the stem. The lowest involucral bract extends straight up past the inflorescence and is 5-15 cm long. Overall height: 30-100 cm. Range: moist or wet places at low elevation, BC to California, mainly West Cascades (Hitchcock). Easily confused with slenderbeak sedge (Carex athrostachya) but involucral bracts extend up rather than out so flower spikes appear borne on the side of the stem rather than at the end.
Some photos:
