Tussocks usually slender and small. Leaves flat to terete, rigid, 20–40 cm long, 0.7–2 mm wide, green, usually scabrid on margin and in grooves; basal sheath gradually tapering distally, rarely torn, white or purple-brown; apex acute, initially with 1–3 small points. Male and female inflorescences similar, usually unbranched, occasionally with 1 or 2 short branches, 3.5–6.5 cm long, up to c. one-third as long as the leaves; axes usually smooth; non-flowering axis exposed for 1–2.5 cm; flower-bearing axis 1–5.5 cm long. Bracts brown or pale brown, often with purple dots. Male and female flowers similar, sessile, with purple-dots on outer and inner perianth. Flowers Sep.–Nov., rarely at other times of the year.