Herb, perennial, cespitose, rhizomatous. Culms trigonous, 25–50(–80) cm × 0.8–2.6 mm, glabrous. Leaves flat to V-shaped, 30–80 cm × 3–10 mm. Inflorescences: spikes ovoid, 1.5–3 × 1.5–3 cm; rays 4–7, 1–10 cm; 2d order rays occasionally present, 0.5–2 cm, rays often not elongate, inflorescence then capitate, 2–5 cm diam.; bracts 4–8, horizontal to ascending at 30°, flat to V-shaped, longest 6–35 cm × (1.5–)4–8 mm; rachilla persistent, wings 0.4–0.6 mm wide. Spikelets (10–)20–60, reddish brown, flattened elliptic in cross section, linear-lanceoloid, 6–22 cm × (1–)2–3(–4) mm; floral scales deciduous, 6–16, medially greenish, laterally reddish brown to brown, medially 3–5-ribbed, laterally 3–5-ribbed, ovate-lanceolate to ± orbiculate, 2.5–3 × 1.4–1.8 mm, apex acute to obtuse and mucronulate. Flowers: anthers 0.7–1.8 mm; styles (0.3–)1.2–2.8 cm; stigmas (1–)2–3 mm. Achenes brownish to black, stipitate or sessile, ellipsoid to obovoid or oblong, 1.3–2 × 0.75–1(–1.1) mm, apex obtuse, apiculate or not, surfaces coarsely punctate.
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