Caespitose. Stems 80–120 cm, clustered on short rhizomes. Leaves: blades 2–6 mm wide; basal sheaths brown. Inflorescence open-cymose with spikelets clustered at tips of short or long peduncles. Spikelets 3–5 mm long. Scales ca. 1.5 mm long, brown; tip rounded to acute. Flowers: bristles 6, contorted, smooth, white, longer than the scales; stigmas 3. Achene 2- or 3-sided, whitish, 0.5–1 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).