Stems erect, 25–35 cm. Leaves basal and lower-cauline, white-margined, often greater than the inflorescence; blades 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence of 1 to 4 well-separated spikes; lowest bract greater than the inflorescence. Spikes erect to ascending; all similar, pedunculate, 5–10 mm long, not including the basal female scales; male flowers above, few, inconspicuous. Perigynia 2 to 6, ascending, green, obovoid, papillose, loosely aggregated, 3–4.5 mm long, with a serrulate beak 0.5–1 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales green, elongate, bract-like below, ovate and shorter above. Achene 3-sided, filling the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).