Rhizome short, with stolons. Culms 10-30 cm tall, erect to slightly curved, scabrous above, clothed at base with brownish red bladeless sheaths disintegrating into fibers. Leaves slightly shorter than or subequaling culm, blades linear, 2.5-3 mm wide, apex long acuminate. Spikes 3-6, disposed in an interrupted spicate inflorescence; terminal spike gynaecandrous, obovate to oblong, clavate, 1-2.5 × 0.6-0.8 cm; remaining spikes female, ovate to oblong, 0.8-1.5 × 0.6-0.8 cm; lowest peduncle ca. 0.8 cm. Female glumes dark ferruginous, lighter on midrib, ovate, margins white hyaline, apex obtuse or acute. Utricles yellowish, ferruginous above, shorter than glume, obovate, 2.5-3 mm, minutely granulose, faintly 3-or 4-veined on both surfaces, base cuneate, apex abruptly contracted into a very short, smooth, emarginate beak. Fl. and fr. Jun-Aug.