Tufted grass-like annual. Stems 10-15- (20) cm × ± 1 mm, simple, or jointed and branched. Leaves < stems, 1-2 mm wide. Flowers c. 7.5 mm long, ± 6 mm diam., up to 8 in clusters within ± equal spathe-valves, yellowish-cream to yellow, internally with a reddish-purple band forming a 6-pointed star, externally with median purplish stripe above, pubescent below; lobes oblong-acuminate. Capsule c. 3 × 3 mm, glabrous, ± flattened, grey-green, becoming reddish. Seeds black, c. 0.7 mm long.

Tufted grass-like perennial, 45-60 cm high, basal leaves often lying flat in fans on the ground. Stems simple or branched above, winged, 2.5 mm wide, with a cauline leaf at each slightly swollen purple node. Leaves linear, ensiform, grass-like, to 20 cm × 5 mm, margins minutely serrulate, cauline leaves < or > internodes. Flowers 1-1.5 cm long, to 2 cm diam., in clusters of (2) -4-5 within ± equal spathe-valves, whitish-cream, internally with a 6-pointed purple star at throat, externally purple-striped above, pubescent below; lobes oblong with deltoid acute tip. Capsule c. 5 × 5 mm, glabrous, reddish-brown. Seeds ± 1 mm long, black, angled.