Herbs. Stems (5--)10--30(--55) cm, often with small prickles. Leaves spatulate to ovate-lanceolate, upper leaves becoming narrowly lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, (1.5--)2--7 X (0.5--)1--2.6 cm, base auriculate, margin minutely prickly, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescences with 4--12 spikelets; rachis tomentose; bracts broadly ovate, apex acuminate; bractlets minute, usually lanceolate-oblong. Calyx green, 4--4.5 mm; lobes as long as tube, narrowly triangular. Corolla light blue-purple, tube 4--5 mm; lobes ovate-triangular, ca. 1 mm. Stamens ± as long as corolla tube; anthers pale yellow, ca. 0.5 mm. Capsules dark brownish red, with 5 pale striations. Seeds brownish red, ovate, ca. 3.3 X 1.7 mm. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Jul-Sep. 2n = 12.
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