In erect clumps; stems 30-80 cm × 1.5-3 mm, soft, grey-green, dull, prominently ridged especially just below the inflorescence, pith continuous at the base of the stem but becoming more spongy just below the inflorescence; basal bracts brownish-red, not shining; inflorescence condensed, the base of the subtending floral bract red-tinged and expanded to a wide opening through which the inflorescence emerges; tepals 2-2.5 mm long, finely pointed, red-brown; stamens 3; capsule about equal to the tepals, mucronulate.

Erect clumps; rhizomes short. Stems 30-80 cm × 1.5-3 mm, soft and easily split, grey-green, dull, prominently ridged especially just below inflorescence, pith continuous, cobwebby. Basal sheaths brownish-red, not shining. Inflorescence a ± spherical head c. 1 cm long, base of subtending floral bract conspicuously red-tinged and expanded to a wide opening through which inflorescence emerges. Flowers very crowded. Tepals 2-2.5 mm long, ± equal, acuminate. Stamens 3. Capsule c. 2 mm long, ± = tepals, ovoid-oblong, flattened at top, reddish-brown.