Rhizomatous. Stems erect, 40–100 cm. Leaves: basal bladeless; cauline sheaths, green-stripped opposite the blades that are 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence of numerous, sessile spikes, congested in an elongate cluster; lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence. Spikes 5–10 mm long, all similar; unisexual or male flowers above female. Perigynia ascending, ovate, brown to green, glabrous, 3–4 mm tapered to the indistinct, serrulate beak, 0.5–1 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scales tan with hyaline margins, shorter than the perigynia (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).