Densely caespitose. Stems erect, 15–60 cm. Leaves: basal blades absent; cauline blades 2–3 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 6 sessile overlapping spikes; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes 8–18 mm long, all similar; bisexual; female flowers above male. Perigynia erect, green to tan, narrowly ovate, flattened, wing-margined, 5.5–7 × 2–2.5 mm, tapered to the indistinct beak, 1.5–2 mm long, serrulate below, entire above; stigmas 2. Female scales light brown with a pale midvein, concealing the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, smaller than the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).