2n = 64–68

Blue-green tufts to ± 15 cm high with stems hidden among plano-convex leaves; rhizome short. Inflorescence 0.5-1.5 cm long, of 3-4 close-packed, ± sessile, red-brown spikes. Utricles many-nerved, later nerveless, dark brown. Stigmas 3.

Shortly rhizomatous. Culms (2)–6–12 cm. × c. 0.5 mm., hidden in the light brown lf-sheaths. Lvs > culms, 0.5–1.5 mm. wide, blue-green, erect and rigid, lamina plano-convex at the base but flattening or occ. subtrigonous towards the subacute tip, margins strongly scabrid near the tip. Infl. 0.5–1.5 cm. long, of 3–4 contiguous, sessile or very shortly pedunculate red-brown spikes, subtended by lf-like rigid bracts > infl.; terminal spike male; remaining spikes female. Glumes slightly < utricles, lanceolate, acuminate or cuspidate, membr., brown, with a pale green midrib and membr. margins. Utricles 2.5–3 × 1.5–2 mm., trigonous, elliptic-ovoid, spreading, conspicuously many-nerved when immature, shining and ± smooth when mature, dark brown; beak c. 0.5 mm. long, slender, acutely bifid, margins often ciliate-serrate above; stipe short. Stigmas 3. Nut trigonous.