2n = 88

Forming dense, rush-like, olive-green tufts, from a slightly ascending rhizome 2–3 mm. diam. Culms 30–55–(70) cm. × c. 1 mm., trigonous and scabrid, but older culms becoming terete and glab., except just under infl.; basal bracts dull dark brown. Lvs 2–3 per culm, much < mature culms, us. involute, c. 1 mm. wide, or up to 2 mm. wide if flat, rigid, strongly nerved, scabrid on margins and on adaxial surface towards tip, sheaths and midrib bright red. Spikes 3–10 cm. long, us. subtended by a reddish bract > spike, female fls c. 10–15, ± distant in longer spikes, internodes up to 14 mm. long at base of spike, 3 mm. long above. Glumes < or = utricles, persistent, obtuse or lowermost subacute, coriac., green to light brown, tinged with pink, margins membr. Utricles 6–7.5 × c. 2 mm., plano-convex, nerved, light brown, often pink towards the top, stipe and beak both cuneate, each 1.5 mm. long.