Compact, tufted, perennial herb, up to 400 mm high. Leaves in loose basal rosettes grasslike; blade flat, linear, hard, base persisting; cataphylls absent. Flowers: inflorescences terminal panicles; capitula dense to few-flowered; style and stigma very short, remaining within perianth; anthers as long as filaments; perianth 3-4 mm long, dark brown to black.