Small tufted annual, up to c. 20 cm. Stem up to 10 cm, trigonous above. Leaves longer than stems; sheaths conspicuous, long, pale to dark purple-tinged; blades filiform. Inflorescence a single cluster of c. 10 spikes; bracts up to 13 cm, several foliose, conspicuously exceeding the inflorescence; spikes 5-10 x 2.5-3 mm, oblong, slightly compressed, with c. 25 densely imbricate glumes; rachis nearly tetrangular, 'deeper than wide'; glumes 2.2 x 2 mm, broadly ovate, keel wide, apex obtuse or retuse, mucronate, sides scarious, nerve-less, silvery, sometimes reddish brown or purple tinged, Stamens 2. Nut 1.2 x 0.7 mm, oblong, edge towards rachilla curved, other side partly depressed, brown, reticulate.