Stems densely tufted, 1 ft. long, at the top glabrous with the stomata very conspicuous as rows of dots between the ribs. Leaves half the length of the stem, setaceous; sheaths brown, with long white hairs on the throat. Umbel 1 1/2 in. in diam., subcompound, of 6–14 spikelets; bracts as long as the umbel, setaceous. Spikelets solitary, 1/3 by 1/8 in., narrowly ellipsoid, subacute, a silver-brown colour. Glumes boat-shaped, ovate, apiculate, pubescent, a few very long white hairs added on the back; keel green. Style rather short; branches 3, long. Nut 2/5 the length of the glume, trigonous, obovoid, truncate, contracted at the base almost pear-shaped, pale brown, with transverse wavy lines; style-base persistent on the nut, small, dark-red, very short cylindric (button-shaped).
