Chrysitrix junciformis Nees

Perennial herb, tufted or long-rhizomatous, 0.3-0.5(-1.0) m high. Leaf blades lower absent, upper well developed, terete to slightly flattened, 1.5-2.4 mm in diam. Culm scapose, terete to slightly flattened, striate, 1.25-1.80 mm in diam. below inflorescence. Inflorescence pseudo-lateral, a single, head-like spike, 12-16 x 6-8 mm. Spike of many spirally imbricate, ovate, shining chestnut or black-red bracts ± 10 mm long, with many male flowers below and 1 female flower uppermost. Subtending bract longer than inflorescence, erect, green, culm-like. Style branches extremely variable in number. Flowering time Sept.-Nov., Feb., May. Nutlet ovate, 6-8 mm long, subglobose, pale, surface longitudinally closely striate.