Stem prostrate, distally usually suberect, occasionally branched, elongate, 10--30 cm × 4--8 mm, covered with purplish brown sheaths. Leaves in distant tufts 5--10 cm apart, usually 4--8 per tuft, sessile, long linear, 40--60 × 0.7--1.2 cm, 9--15-veined, base somewhat distichous equitant, margin purplish brown at base. Scape arising from an apical leaf axil, (20--)30--45 cm. Inflorescence a reduced panicle, more than 10-flowered; rachis slightly flat and narrowly 2-winged; bracts linear-lanceolate, 5--9 mm. Flowers usually paired; pedicel 5--9 mm, articulate proximally. Tepals white, narrowly ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 8--9 × 1.5--3 mm. Filaments very short; anthers 6--7 mm. Style 6--8 mm, slender. Fl. Aug.