Tufted perennials to 40 cm, with conspicuous basal sheaths. Leaves shorter than stem, to 1 mm wide. Inflorescence of 5-10 spikes, bracts longer or shorter than inflorescence, glumes distichous, keeled, brown to black brown, lowest two sterile; flowers bisexual, perianth bristles, when present, shorter than the nut; stigmas 3.