Caespitose perennials, 4-40 cm, or rhizome ascending, emitting short stolons or tillers. Stem obtusely trigonous or terete. Leaves basal, reduced, blades seldom longer than 20 mm. Inflorescence single terminal spike, with up to c. 10 spirally arranged glumes, the lowest longer than others, sterile. Flowers bisexual, perianth bristles 0 or 4-6, to 15 mm, smooth, stamens 3, stigmas 3. Nut 1-2.5 mm, trigonous.