Stems 50-150 cm long, green tissue forming a continuous cylindric outer layer (not interrupted), not striate, distally bearing numerous, repeatedly branched, thread-like, sterile branches, often with long woolly hairs exserted from leaflike bracts. Sheathing leaves 10–35 mm long, closely appressed, becoming brown; apex acute to acuminate; those leaf-like bracts subtending the inflorescence clusters often with long woolly hairs. Male spikelets 2.5–7 mm long. Male flowers with 6 membranous (glume-like) perianth parts; anthers exserted on slender filaments. Female spikelets 5–12 mm long; floral bracts overlapping, 3.3–5 mm long (those of male spikelets 1.8–4 mm long), with apex aristate. Style exserted and usually curved. Flowers (Sept.–)Oct.–Apr.(Jul.).