2n = 88

Caespitose, stout. Culms (15)–25–50–(65) cm. × (0.7)–1–1.5 mm., glab. or rarely scabrid below infl.; basal bracts dull brown or yellowbrown. Lvs 5–9 per culm, us. > culms, 4–6 mm. wide, strongly scabrid on the margins and on the adaxial surface towards tip. Spikes (5)–7–14 cm. long, us. bracteate, clavate, 7–10 mm. diam. at the top below the male spike, female fls ∞, us. c. 65–100, very closely crowded throughout almost the whole spike, internodes 0.5–4 mm. long but up to 8 mm. long at base of spike. Glumes =, > or rarely < utricles, deciduous, narrow-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, coriac. or subcoriac., yellowish brown to dark brown, midrib green. Utricles 5–6–(7) × 1.5–2 mm., plano-convex to subtrigonous, ovate, yellow-brown to dark brown when ripe, one to two lateral nerves prominent and lighter coloured, stipe 1.5–2 mm. long, beak 1.5–2 mm. long; spreading widely when ripe.