Loosely tufted perennial with slender rhizome. Culms triquetrous, usually scabrous above, 8–35 cm high, 0.8–1.1 mm diam. Leaves quite thick and stiff, often broadly keeled, shorter than or equalling culms, 2–3.5 mm wide. Inflorescence ± dense, 0.8–2.5 cm long including male portion 6–11 mm long; female glumes deciduous, acute, faintly few-nerved, straw-coloured to yellow-brown, often tinged red-brown on sides, membranous, with narrow hyaline margins, 4–5 mm long; stamens 3; utricles trigonous, ovoid to ellipsoid, 4.5–5 mm long, 1.8–2 mm diam., tapering to base and apex, with several faint nerves and 1(–2) prominent cream ones, smooth and shining between nerves, shorter than or equalling glumes, obliquely spreading at maturity; rachilla produced far beyond mouth of utricle, strongly hooked at the top. Nut obovoid, dark brown, glistening, minutely pustulate, c. 3 mm long, c. 2 mm diam. Flowers summer.
