Greyish green, caespitose perennial, 30-60 cm. Stem 0.7-1.2 mm diam., deeply grooved, glabrous. Leaves to c. half of stem length; sheaths open, scarious side slightly villose, mouth margin ciliate; ligule a dense fringe of hairs; blades 1-3 mm wide, flat, sometimes slightly incurved, midrib not prominent, margins scabrous, esp. towards apex. Inflorescence 2-6 cm diam., with 6-50, mostly solitary, occasionally geminate spikes; lowest bract leaf-like, as long as or longer than inflorescence. Spikes 4.5-8 x 2.5-3.5 mm, ovoid, terete, acute, light brown to brown; glumes coriaceous, widely ovate, occasionally slightly keeled, apiculate, apical parts glabrous, brown; rachis castaneous, narrowly winged. Stamens 1; filaments more than 2 mm long, c. 0.2 mm wide, flat, colourless; anthers c. 0.8 mm, connective tip mucronate; style c. 1 x 0.2 mm, deciduous, flat, brown, margins colourless, ciliate; stigmas 2, c. 0.5 mm, flat, basal parts ciliate. Nut 1-1.2 x c. 0.8 mm, lenticular, trabeculate, yellowish, sometimes whitish.