2n = 94

Shortly rhizomatous, rhizome 1–1.5 mm. diam. Culms 4–15–(30) cm. × 0.5–1 mm., erect, us. glab. but occ. faintly scabrid just below infl.; basal bracts dull grey-brown. Lvs 4–9 per culm, < or ± = culms, 1–1.5–(2) mm. wide, soft. Spikes (1.5)–2–3 cm. × 2–3–(4) mm., cylindrical, ebracteate, female fls c. 10, rather close-set but lower ones often more lax. Glumes slightly < utricles, persistent, obtuse, coriac., straw-coloured with brown markings, to dark brown, midrib green. Utricles 4–5 × 1–1.5 mm., plano-convex, obovate-oblong, grey-brown with darker brown nerves, hispid on margins and both surfaces of upper half, beak slightly tapering, c. 1 mm. long, stipe scarcely narrowed, c. 0.5 mm. long.