Herbs, perennial, cespitose, rhizomatous, tuberlike. Culms trigonous, 5–35 cm × 0.7–1.2 mm, glabrous. Leaves V-shaped, 5–25 cm × 1.5–3.5 mm, slightly scabridulous on abaxial margins, midrib. Inflorescences: spikes loosely ± globose, 15–25 mm wide; rays 1–10 cm; rachis 1–4 mm; bracts 3–7, ascending, V-shaped, 3–20 cm × 1–3 mm; rachilla deciduous, wingless. Spikelets 3–24, compressed, oblong-lanceoloid, 4–12 × 2.5–3.2 mm; floral scales deciduous, 3–9, pale reddish brown, ovate, laterally 3–5-ribbed, 2.5–3 × 2–2.4 mm , apex acute to obtuse. Flowers: anthers 1–1.2 mm; styles 0.4–0.6 mm; stigmas 1–2 mm. Achenes dark brown, ± stipitate, ellipsoid, 2–2.4 × 0.9–1.2 mm, apex obtuse, apiculate, surfaces glabrous, puncticulate, or papillose. 2n = 166.
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Much like no. 23 [Cyperus grayi Torr.]; rachilla wingless; scales subremote, barely reaching the base of the next scale above; achenes 2–2.4 mm; 2n=ca 166. Rare and local; sandy prairie blowouts in c. and nw. Ill.; disjunct to sandy places in Tex. and La.