Plants cespitose, short-rhizomatous. Culms 30–80 cm. Leaves 3.9–8.7 mm wide, glabrous. Spikes (1–)2–4(–6), erect; lateral spikes usually pistillate; terminal spike gynecandrous; staminate portion 4–11 × 1–3.5 mm; pistillate portion oblong to elliptic, 10–43 × 10–16 mm. Pistillate scales 2.3–5.5 × 1.2–1.7 mm, apex acute, sharp or blunt, hidden by perigynia. Staminate scales 4.2–5.8 × 1.4–2 mm, apex acute, sharp or blunt. Perigynia appressed-ascending, the proximal not reflexed, 5.5–7.8 × 2–3 mm, smooth; beak 2.3–2.9 mm, often sparingly scabrous. Achenes sides often concave, 2–2.6 × 1.4–1.7 mm, 1.2–1.9 times as long as wide; style deciduous, straight.