Glabrous. Rhizome short, horizontal, knotty. Stems 1 ft. long, at the top triquetrous and slender, at the base bulbous, approximate. Leaves 1/2– 2/3 the length of the stem, 1/8 in. broad. Umbel of 1–4 rays, contracted into a compound head; bracts 3, lowest suberect, 3 1/2 in. long, similar to the leaves. Spikelets in a dense oblong spike, 1/4– 1/3 in. long, linear-lanceolate, 8–10-flowered, obliquely suberect, rigid, somewhat shining, variegated with brown. Glumes ovate, very obtuse, rounded on the back, strongly 5-nerved. Style short; branches 3, long, somewhat exserted. Nut 3/4 the length of the glume, broadly ellipsoid.