Glabrous, stoloniferous. Stems 1 1/2–2 1/2 ft. long, at the top obtusely trigonous and smooth; basal leaf-sheaths with many strong ribs and scarious margins. Leaves 3/4 the length of the stem, 1/3 in. broad, strongly transversely striate, in the dried state rolled up, hard. Umbel nearly simple, the subcorymbose spikes nearly congested into compound heads at the end of each ray, chestnut-red or ferruginous-brown; bracts 3–5, up to 6–10 in. long, similar to the leaves, very unequal. Spikelets oblong, maturing 4 nuts. Glumes elliptic, obtuse. Nut linear-oblong; style 3-fid.