Herbs, perennial, strongly rhizomatous, 0.5--2.5 dm. Culms erect, slightly flattened. Leaves: basal 2--5, cauline 2--4; auricles absent or, if present, 0.5--1.5 mm, apex acute; blade flat, 5--15 cm x 2--3 mm. Inflorescences glomerules, 1--6, each with 3--7 flowers, open to aggregate, 2--6 cm; primary bract or distal leaves usually exceeding inflorescences. Flowers: tepals usually brown, ovate-oblong, 3--4 mm, margins scarious; inner series slightly shorter, minutely papillate; stamens 6, filaments 0.8--1.4 mm, anthers 0.8--1.4 mm; style 1 mm. Capsules 3-locular, narrowly ovoid, 4--5 mm. Seeds narrowly ovoid, 0.3 mm, not tailed.
