Plant to 12 cm high. Leaves ± = stems. Inflorescence usually a single cluster of 2-10 flowers. Tepals usually black. Stamens 3, rarely 6. Capsule c. 3mm long, ± = tepals, black.

Tufted. Stems 2–12 cm. long, c. 1 mm. diam. at the base, tapering above. Lvs ∞, all basal, = or < stems, 1.5–7 cm. × c. 1 mm., lamina linear-subulate, solid, non-septate, canaliculate above, almost terete towards the obtuse tip, flattened towards the base; sheath broad, without auricles. Infl. a single, terminal, 2–10-fld head, 3–7–(10) mm. wide, very rarely 2 heads are present, the lower being smaller. Fls c. 3 mm. long; tepals ± equal, us. dark brown almost black, rarely light brown. Stamens 3, or rarely 6. Capsule almost = tepals, ovoid to oblong, black and shining towards the acute tip, mucro short and blunt.