Rhodocoma alpina H.P.Linder & J.H.Vlok

Plants clumped, rhizomes unbranched or sparsely branched, forming small patches, 0.3-0.5 m high. Culms unbranched, smooth or finely rugulose. Leaf sheaths persistent, closely wrapped around the culm, brown with yellow speckling, margins broadly chartaceous and becoming lacerated. Male and female inflorescences: 6-20 on branchlets on terminal nodes. Spathes persistent, as high as or taller than spikelets. Bracts papery. Male spikelets pendulous, spindle-shaped, erect when young. Female spikelets clustered at nodes, 1-flowered with 4 sterile bracts. Flower with cartilaginous perianth. Ovary trilocular; styles 3, plumose white or pink, free. Flowering time Jan., Feb. Fruit a dehiscent capsule.