Glabrous. Rhizome seen 1/2 by 1/12 in., clothed by striate scales. Stems 10 in. long, tufted, slender, tough, obtusely trigonous. Leaves 2/3 the length of the stem, 1/8 in. broad. Umbel simple; rays 2–4, up to 1 1/2 in. long; bracts 3, lowest suberect up to 4–8 in. long, similar to the leaves. Spikes of 3–7 spikelets, ebracteate. Spikelets 2/5 by 1/10 in., a little compressed, somewhat turgid, 8–12-flowered, variegated with red-purple. Glumes ovate, obtuse. Stamens 3; anthers small, nearly square. Style, including the 3 branches, shorter than the nut. Nut 1/2 the length of the glume, broad ellipsoid, trigonous but much flattened on the anterior angle, suddenly narrowed into a minute stalk, smooth, black.
