Caespitose. Stems erect, 20–80 cm. Leaves: basal blades absent; cauline blades 2–3 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3–6 sessile spikes, overlapping or aggregated into a capitate to elongate head; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes 5–10 mm long, all similar; female flowers above, male below. Perigynia erect, glabrous, green to tan, orbicular, flattened, wing-margined, 3.5–5 × 2–3 mm including the distinct beak, 1.5–2.5 mm long, serrulate to the tip; stigmas 2. Female scales tan with a white to green midvein and hyaline margins, narrower and shorter than the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, smaller than the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).