Perennial rhizomatous herb. Rhizome firm internally, spongy externally, 3–5 mm diam., bearing scattered fine non-attaching roots, rooting and bearing leaf tufts at c. 10–30 cm intervals; leaf tufts subtended by membranous bracts. Leaves ± linear, tapered and flattened distally, elliptic-oblong to ± triangular in transverse section, 30–94 cm long, 4–20 mm wide. Scape ± cylindric, 26–95 cm long (excluding spike), 1.5–5 mm diam. Flowers 22–65 per spike, lacking bracts. Tepals 2, broadly spathulate, 1.5–2 mm long. Stamens sessile; anthers c. 1 mm long and wide, each locule with a thick short apical appendage and deep dorsal groove, dehiscent in groove. Infructescence 4–11 cm long, 13–20 mm diam. Fruits ± broadly cylindric, 6–8 mm long, 3–4.5 mm wide; carpels each with 2 recurved lateral wings and a short stylar beak.
Grows in freshwater to 60 cm deep, sometimes more, in creeks and swamps, in clay and loam soils, and frequently in Melaleuca quinquenervia-dominated communities. Often forms dense stands, or associated with Eleocharis sphacelata, Triglochin procera, Philydrumlanuginosum and other sedges.
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