[Overseas specimens: Densely tufted; basal sheaths dark brown; rhizome very short.] Stems to ± 80 cm high, 3-angled, margins sharply scabrid. Leaves < stems, ± 5 mm wide. Inflorescence to 15 cm long, a stiff, erect, shortly branched panicle branches 1.5-2 cm long, lower ones more distant. Spikes numerous, sessile, crowded on branches, ± 4 mm long, reddish-brown, androgynous, male flowers terminal. Glumes ± = utricles, membranous, red-brown at base with wide hyaline margins, midnerve ± prominent, scabrid above, occasionally produced to a short mucro. Utricles ± 2.5 mm long, plano-convex, faintly nerved near base, light greenish-brown, tapering to a beak ± 1 mm long with winged scabrid margins; base cordate, stipe short. Stigmas 2. [Nut immature.]