2n = 58–60

Shoots spaced singly and evenly along far-extending rhizomes. Stems hidden by leaf-sheaths. Leaves to 8 cm long. Inflorescence a pale green compact ovate head 4-8 mm long. Spikes 2-3, approximate, sessile, male flowers at base. Stigmas 2.

Rhizomatous; often forming a dense sward, or in small circular patches. Rhizome 1–1.5 mm. diam., woody, much-branched, long-creeping, with shoots spaced singly and evenly along it, c. 1 mm. diam. at base. Culms 0.5–2.5–(4) cm. tall, completely hidden by the lf-sheaths; basal sheaths light grey-brown or chestnut. Lvs much > culms, 2–8–(10) cm. × c. 0.5 mm., plano-convex towards the tip, involute towards the base, wiry, margins scabrid especially towards the long trigonous tip. Infl. a pale green, compact head, 4–8 mm. long, orbicular-ovate, with (1)–2–3 crowded spikes, subtended by 2–3 lf-like bracts. Spikes androgynous, few-fld, male fls 1–3 at base of spike, occ. 0, female fls 3–8. Glumes < or rarely = utricles, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, hyaline, keel stout, green, 1–3-nerved. Utricles 3–4 × 1.5–2 mm., plano-convex, prominently nerved, light brown; contracted above to a narrow green beak c. 1.5 mm. long, margins minutely toothed, orifice bifid; stipe not markedly contracted, c. 0.1 mm. long. Stigmas 2. Nut c. 1.5 mm. long, plano-convex, obovoid to almost orbicular, brown, shining, shortly stipitate.