Tufted. Culms (3)–6–30–(75) cm. × 0.5–1.5 mm., grooved, flaccid or rather rigid, occ. curved. Lvs , (5)–10–20–(30) cm. × 0.5–1.5–(2) mm., us. <, but occ. > culms, rigid, lamina narrow-linear, flat or concavo-convex, tip obtuse; sheath broad, brown, shining; lower portion of lamina and mouth of sheath minutely serrulate. Infl. a terminal corymb, occ. condensed and almost forming a head, or spikelets in 4–6 loose stalked clusters; bracts subtending infl. 1–2, lf-like; bracts subtending spikelets more glume-like. Spikelets 8–12 mm. long, pale and shining, 1-fld. Glumes us. 5, lanceolate, ± obtuse, stiffly membr., keeled, the 2 lower shorter, the next larger pair subtending the fl., the fifth glume setaceous. Hypog. bristles 6, plumose with silky hairs almost to the tip, then scabrid, > glumes when mature. Nut 2.5–3 mm. long, slightly < 1mm. wide, trigonous, minutely punctulate, shortly stipitate, pale to dark brown, surmounted by the dried and rigid, long, narrow, smooth or minutely hairy style-base.