Densely tufted. Rhizome c. 5 mm. diam., us. horizontal in plants from South Id, and ascending in plants from Auckland and Campbell Is. Stems (8)–12–30–(40) cm. × c. 0.5 mm., very closely crowded on the rhizome; basal bracts , reddish brown, the upper conspicuously mucronate. Lvs ± = or much > flowering stems, slightly < 1 mm. wide, terete, rigid, striated, bright green, shining. Fl. 1.5–3 cm. long; single subtending bract inconspicuous, < 3 mm. long, membr., pale cream, tip obtuse. Tepals 6, unequal, linear-subulate, acute, pale brown with membr. margin. Stamens 6, c. ⅔ length of mature capsule; anthers much > filaments, connective apiculate. Capsule c. ½ length of tepals, linear-oblong, coriac., chestnut-brown, mucronate, dehiscing longitudinally towards the apex. Seeds c. 2.5 mm. long, oblong-elliptical, straw-coloured, shining, tails white, unequal in length.