2n = 88

Shortly rhizomatous or loosely caespitose. Rhizome woody, 2–3 mm. diam. Culms (8)–12–25–(35) cm. × (0.7)–1–1.5–(2) mm., stiffly erect, scabrid below infl.; basal bracts dull reddish brown or dull dark brown. Lvs 4–7 per culm, < or ± = culms, 1.5–4–(5) mm. wide, rigid, curved, coriac., bright green or yellow-green, margins us. harshly scabrid but occ. almost glab., upper surface towards tip also scabrid. Spikes (2)–3–6–(7.5) cm. × 3–7 mm., linear to subclavate, occ. bracteate, female fls us. 10–15, us. close-set, rarely rather lax, internodes to 6 mm. long at base of spike, 2–3 mm. long above. Glumes slightly >, = or slightly < utricles, persistent, ovate, obtuse or lowermost subacute, coriac., greenish brown, light brown or dull dark brown, rarely bright chestnut-brown, midrib broad, green, margins white, hyaline. Utricles 5–7.5 × 1.5–2 mm., plano-convex or concavo-convex, ovate or obovate, many-nerved, tapered above to a beak 1.5–2 mm. long, slightly narrowed at the base to a stipe 1–2 mm. long.