2n = c. 64

Narrow-leaved, dark green, grass-like tufts from far-extending rhizomes. Stems to 1 cm long enclosed by brown leaf-sheaths. Leaves much > stems. Inflorescence of 3 pedunculate short spikes. Utricles 6-7 mm long, dark red-purple; beak 3 mm long. Stigmas 3.

Rhizome long-creeping, c. 0.5 mm. diam., with lfy culms to 1 cm. long, in distant tufts; entirely enclosed by dull brown sheaths. Lvs much > culms, to 10 cm. long, to 1 mm. wide, channelled, grasslike, dark green, margins scabrid towards the tip. Infl. of 3 pedunculate spikes; terminal spike male, very slender; 2 lower spikes female, 5–7-fld; bracts subtending infl.∞, lf-like. Glumes slightly < utricles, ovate-lanceolate, membr., streaked with red, midrib produced to a scabrid awn. Utricle 6–7 mm. long, subcoriac., biconvex, ovate-lanceolate, often light brown towards the base, dark red-brown towards the top, nerves distinct, light brown; beak very narrow, c. 3 mm. long, deeply bifid, crura spreading, margins and orifice scabrid; stipe c. 0.7 mm. long, very narrow. Stigmas 3. Nut c. 2 mm. long, trigonous with rounded angles, oblong, grey-brown.