Leaves coriaceous, linear, slightly narrowed below, gradually narrowed upward to the very slender, triquetrous, aculeate-scabrous tip, with the midnerve prominent beneath and 2 lateral nerves somewhat prominent above, the margins serrulate-scabrous throughout except near the base, and the keel scabrous on the lower surface in the upper part, glaucous, up to 1½ m by 1-1½ cm; sheathing bases shining castaneous. Scapes lateral, along the caudex below the leaves, very short and inflorescences therefore practically sessile. Inflorescence always a single spikelet, lanceolate in outline, acute, triquetrous, up to 3-4 by 1-1½ cm. Sterile glumes coriaceous, ovate to oblong-ovate, acute, sharply keeled at least in the upper half, shining castaneous, 2-3 by 1-1½ cm; fertile glumes membranous, oblong, white, 3-5-nerved. Flowers 15-30 mm long; outermost scales with a distinct, pellucid, white wing ½-⅔ mm wide, sparsely and minutely ciliolate at the top. Anthers 7-15 mm. Nut oblong-ellipsoid, terete or slightly compressed, stipitate (stipe 1-2 mm), brown, c. 10 by 3½ mm (the long, straight, conical, 3-4 mm long beak included).
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