Rhizome far-extending, with red-brown scales. Stems 8-45 cm high, slightly flaccid, compressed-triangular. Leaves ± = or < stems, 2-3.5 mm wide, slightly flaccid; sheaths tinged with light red, lower ones dark brown. Involucral bracts 3-4, leaf-like, widely spreading, much > inflorescence. Inflorescence a solitary sessile white spike (rarely 2-3 spikes), ovoid to globose, 4-8 mm diam. Spikelets many, ± 3 mm long, each with 2 glumes but only 1 glume fertile, tightly clustered, much compressed. Glumes hyaline, distinctly nerved, keel green, acuminate, with broad scabrid wing. Stamens 3. Style-branches 2. Nut ± ½ length of glume, oblong-ovoid, brown.