2n = 40

Tufted perennial, varying in size from 2-30 cm high. Stems much branched at base, often creeping and rooting. Leaves very narrow, transversely-septate. Inflorescence usually a single head of 3-8 large flowers. Stamens 6. Capsule c. 4 mm long, < or > tepals, light- or red-brown.

Often forming dense tufts. Stems 2–10 cm. × 0.2–0.5 mm., erect, much branched at the base, often creeping and sending out fibrous roots at the lowermost nodes. Lvs ∞, both basal and cauline, 1–20 cm. × 0.5–1 mm., much > stems, herbaceous, narrow-linear, compressed, transversely septate, pale green, tip acute; sheath long, membr., with 2 obtuse auricles. Infl. a simple head of 3–8 crowded fls, rarely a second head is produced. Fls c. 4 mm. long; tepals ± equal, the outer acuminate, the inner ovate-oblong, obtuse or shortly acuminate, light green or light brown. Stamens 6, almost = tepals. Capsule < or > tepals, ovoid, shortly mucronate, light brown or red-brown.