stems tufted, 2–3 ft. high, slender, erect, terete, white spotted; sterile stems much branched; ultimate branches filiform, curved, leafy; leaf-sheaths tightly convolute, 1–1 1/2 in. long, coriaceous, dull brown, striate, membranous at the margins; apex gradually acuminate, ultimately lacerate; male spikelets numerous, in somewhat rounded panicled cymes, sessile or peduncled, erect or sometimes drooping; spikelets 1/2– 3/4 in. long, oblong, flattened; spathe lanceolate, half the length of the spikelet; bracts ultimately spreading, deltoid-lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, chestnut-brown, membranous at the margins; flowers linear-oblong; perianth-segments linear-oblong, acute; lateral conduplicate, winged-carinate, glabrous; female plant like the male; spikelets 3–7, in erect spike-like cymes 2–4 in. long, each spikelet oblong, 1/2– 3/4 in. long, spathe sheath-like, lacerate, as long as the spikelet; bracts ultimately loose at the tips, deltoid-lanceolate, acuminate, shining, brown, membranous at the margins; flowers orbicular, compressed, arcuate; outer lateral perianth-segments deeply keeled; ovary ovoid, globose. null
