Plants densely cespitose; rhizomes inconspicuous. Culms to 30 cm. Leaves: blades 1.5–3.5 mm wide. Inflorescences 1–12 cm, proximal internodes 5–50 mm; peduncles of proximal spikes to 5 cm; proximal bracts with blade 0–15(–40) mm, sheath cylindric, (3–)4–22 mm, mouth 0.5–1.2 mm wide. Spikes (2–)3–4(–5); lateral spikes pistillate, the proximal inclined or pendent, 6–21 × 3–6 mm; terminal spike gynecandrous, rarely staminate, pendent, 8–10 × 3.5–5 mm. Pistillate scales black or brown with pale, weak midvein and very narrowly scarious margins, ovate, 2.8–4.2 × 1.4–2.4 mm, apex obtuse to acuminate. Staminate scales brown to black with pale midvein and scarious margins, oblong-obovate to obovate, 3–5 × 1.4–1.8 mm. Anthers 1.2–2.7 mm. Perigynia ascending, pale brown proximally, black or dark brown distally, veins indistinct, lanceolate, 3.3–5.5 × 0.9–1.3(–1.4) mm, margins ciliate, glabrous; beak indistinct. Achenes obovoid, 1.5–2 × 0.9–1 mm.
