Dwarf tussock perennial, erect or reclining, to 10 cm high. Leaves flexible, 3-7 cm long, 6-10 mm wide; apex needle-like, black, varnished; margins smooth or ciliate; leaf-base margins tapering gradually from sheath, straw to pale brown, with coarse tangled hairs. Scapes 3-5 cm long, unjointed, persistent; head 8-10 mm long, 8-12 mm wide, with 18-40 flowers. Outer and inner involucre together of 6 or more bracts, the longest bract 11-17 mm, smooth or ciliate, the wings entire, lobed or laciniate; all bracts keeled with two outer grooves, black, with needle-like apex. Floral bracts imbricate. Perianth lobes linear. Anthers eglandular. Testa not seen.
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