Rhizomes oblique, stoloniferous. Culms solitary, 15-30 cm tall, 3-angled, nodose, basally clothed with leaf sheaths eventually disintegrating into fibers, apically slightly scabrous. Basal leaves shorter than culm; leaf blade broadly linear, 3-6 mm wide, flat, apically abruptly narrowed to 3-angled, abaxial midvein and margin slightly scabrous, apex obtuse. Cauline leaves 2 or 3; sheath green, nearly black at apex; leaf blade linear-lanceolate, 3-6 cm × 4-6 mm, flat or slightly plicate. Involucral bracts 1-3, spathelike, suberect, base blackish brown. Inflorescence a terminal anthela; rays unequal in length, to 3 cm, each terminated by (1 or)2 or 3(or 4) spikelets, nodding on side, scabrous. Spikelets grayish brown, ellipsoid to ovoid, 5-7 mm, many flowered. Glumes elliptic to oblong, 3-4 × 1.2-1.5 mm, membranous, 1-veined, apex obtuse. Perianth bristles 6, 4-6 mm, flexuose, antrorsely scabrous at apex. Stamens 3; anthers 2-2.5 mm. Style slender; stigmas 3. Nutlet narrowly obovoid, 1.8-2 × ca. 1 mm, 3-sided. Fl. and fr. Jul-Sep. 2n = 64.
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