2n = 60

Rhizomes far-extending; forming a continuous grassy sward usually 7-15 cm high. Inflorescence of 3-5 spikes clustered in a greenish head ± 1.5 cm long. Utricles 7-8.5 mm long, much > glumes, tapered to a long beak. Stigmas 3.

Rhizomatous, far-creeping, forming a continuous grassy sward in swampy places; rhizome c. 1 mm. diam., light brown or grey. Culms 2.5–8.5–(25) cm. × 0.5–1 mm., trigonous, or ± compressed below, stiff, erect, glab., enclosed to more than ½ their length by the grey or cream lf-sheaths. Lvs much > culms, 1–2.5 mm. wide, channelled, grass-like, yellow-green, linear, narrowed to a subobtuse tip, margins very finely scabrid. Infl. of 3–5 spikes, clustered together in a head, or the lowermost spike often remote; terminal spike male, small, sessile; remaining spikes female, overtopping the male, 1–1.5 cm. long, on longer peduncles. Glumes much < utricles, broadly ovate, ± acute, membr., faintly many-nerved, pale yellow-brown with a green, not markedly thickened midrib. Utricles 7–8.5 × c. 2 mm., plano-convex to subtrigonous, narrow-lanceolate, many-nerved, light green to greenish brown, margins glab., tapering very gradually above to a beak 3–3.5 mm. long, with an oblique, bifid, finely scabrid orifice; stipe c. 1 mm. long, only slightly contracted. Stigmas 3. Nut c. 2 mm. long, obtusely trigonous, obovoid, light yellow-brown, shining.