Grass-like, densely tufted. Leaves (1.5) -2-4 mm wide, < stems, bright green, villous on margins in lower half, tip obtuse; sheaths with thick tuft of white tangled hairs at mouth, especially noticeable in cauline leaves. Flowering stems 20-30- (60) cm high, erect. Inflorescence umbel-like with a central cluster and 3-10 few-flowered lateral oblong clusters c. 5 mm diam. on ± equal erect peduncles to 4 cm long. Flowers 2.5-3 mm long, not close-set, with bases of flowers and rhachis between them visible; tepals red-brown with broad whitish membranous margins. Stamens 6, anthers ± = filaments. Capsule < tepals, red-brown. Seeds with conspicuous white caruncle.