Caespitose. Stems erect, 8–25 cm. Leaves basal and lower-cauline; blades 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence of 2 to 4 short-pedunculate, erect spikes forming a tight cluster; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes 8–15 mm long, terminal largest; male flowers basal. Perigynia erect, purplish-black, elliptic, 2–4 mm long, including the short beak, scabrous on the margins; stigmas 3. Female scales dark brown to black with light margins, as long as but narrower than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, partly filling the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).