2n = 88

In loose pale yellow-green tufts, often with only 2–3 distant culms per plant. Culms 30–60 cm. long, < 1 mm. diam., trigonous, glab. or scabrid just below infl., drooping or nodding; basal bracts light brown. Lvs 4–6 per culm, < mature culms, (2)–2.5–5 mm. wide, soft, scabrid on margins and on adaxial surface towards tip. Spikes 4–6–(8) cm. × 3–6 mm., often bracteate, clavate, male part of spike us. c. 1 mm. diam. and 1/5 to ¼ length of whole spike, female fls (12)–17–32, lax towards base of spike with internodes 4–8 mm. long, more crowded above with internodes 0.5–1 mm. long. Glumes ± = utricles, deciduous, ovate, acute or acuminate, hyaline with green midrib or brownish. Utricles 5–6 × c. 1.5 mm., trigonous or triquetrous, ovoid, us. smooth except for a prominent lateral nerve, but occ. with a few less distinct nerves, green to grey-brown, stipe 1–1.5 mm. long, beak 1–2 mm. long.