Grass-like, loosely tufted. Leaves usually 2.5-4 mm wide, ± = stems, light green, ± flaccid, with long hairs scattered rather sparsely along margin, tip obtuse. Flowering stems 10-20-(40) cm high, erect, > leaves at maturity. Inflorescence rather variable, composed either of several cluster c. 5 × 5 mm on peduncles to 3 cm long, or of fewer larger clusters c. 10 × 10 mm on shorter peduncles, or a single head. Flowers 2.5-3 mm long, close-set, tepals cream with a faint to conspicuous central red-brown stripe. Stamens 6. Capsule slightly < tepals, yellow-brown, rarely reddish at top. Seeds with conspicuous caruncle.