Fleshy perennial, up to 30 cm., with branching rootstock. Stems unbranched, cylindrical, reddish, with few deciduous scales, ending in a long, thick, club-shaped spike. Cymes confluent, covering the surface of the spike. Bracts peltate, at first imbricated, then remote, deciduous. Staminate flowers usually sessile on common receptacle. Pistillate and hermaphrodite flowers usually in cymes. Fl. April-July. 2n = 28, karyotype bimodal.