2n = 74

Rhizome long, creeping, woody, up to 1.5 mm. diam., loosely ensheathed by large, membr., imbricating scales. Culms wiry, erect, striated, unbranched, in dense tufts or ± distant along the rhizome. Upper lvs alternate, rigidly setaceous, semi-terete, margins rarely scabrid towards lf-tip; basal lvs reduced to red-purple, grooved, mucronate sheaths. Infl. terminal, capitate with crowded sessile spikelets or a solitary spikelet; subtending bract > infl. Spikelets 2–3-fld. Glumes 5–7, occ. appearing almost spirally arranged because of twisting of rhachilla, broadly ovate, 2–3 lowest smaller, empty. Hypog. bristles 6, us. > nut, yellow-brown and scabrid towards the tip, often branched and very feathery at the base with long white hairs. Stamens 3. Style-branches 3. Nut ovoid or elliptical-oblong, smooth, shining, surface cells very minute, angles no much thickened.

Culms (1)–5–25–(40) cm. long, slightly > 0.5 mm. diam. Lvs < culms. Infl. of (2)–4–∞ spikelets. Spikelets (2)–3–4–(5) mm. long. Glumes obtuse, bright chestnut-brown with green median nerve. Nut c. 1.5 mm. long, light grey-brown to red-brown.