Plants cespitose; rhizomes rarely conspicuous. Culms erect, (23–) 35–91 cm. Leaves: sheaths and bases from previous year’s leaves absent; ligules acute; blades sparsely pilose adaxially, especially along median adaxial groove and veins. Inflorescences unispicate (occasionally with 1–2 short lateral spikes of same sex), erect, ellipsoid; primary inflorescence bracts leaflike, as long as or longer than inflorescences. Scales red-brown, oblong-lanceolate, to 3.5 × 1.9 mm, shorter than or equaling perigynia, margins hyaline, broad, central midrib extending to scale apex, apex acute. Perigynia tawny to red-brown, obovate to ovate, 2–3(–4) × 1.5–1.8 mm, often wider than subtending scale, apex tapering or rounded, distal 3/4 hirsute; beak to 0.5 mm, orifice adaxially oblique; rachilla often present. Achenes 1.2–2 × 0.8–1.2 mm, loosely enveloped by perigynia, occupying 1/3–2/3 width and 1/3–3/4 length of perigynia. 2n = 62.
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