Caespitose. Stems erect, 15–50 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 6 sessile, separate spikes; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes 3–5 mm long, the uppermost bisexual with male flowers below; lower female spikes sometimes with a few male flowers. Perigynia spreading, green, ovate, 2–3 mm long tapered to the indistinct, serrulate beak, 0.5–1 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scales ovate, hyaline-tan with a green midvein, shorter than the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, filling the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).