Rhizome short. Culms densely tufted, 25-35 cm tall, smooth, clothed at base with brown sheaths disintegrating into reticulate fibers. Leaves shorter than culm, blades linear, ca. 2.5 mm wide, flat, apex acute. Lower involucral bracts leaflike, shorter than or subequaling inflorescence, long sheathing. Spikes 4 or 5; terminal spike male, oblong, 1.2-1.5 cm; lateral spikes female, oblong, 1.5-2 cm, loosely flowered, lower ones pedunculate. Female glumes dark castaneous with purple, elliptic, ca. 2.5 mm, glabrous or hispid on midrib adaxially. Utricles longer than glume, narrowly elliptic or lanceolate, compressed trigonous, 2.5-3 mm, base very shortly stipitate, margins ciliate, apex gradually narrowed into a beak. Nutlets loosely enveloped, elliptic; style base not thickened; stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Aug.