Densely caespitose. Stems erect, 15–30 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades 1–3 mm wide. Inflorescence of 4 to 6 sessile, overlapping spikes; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes 9–13 mm long, all similar; female flowers above male. Perigynia erect, green to brown, narrowly ovate, convex, wing-margined, ca. 5.5 × ca. 2 mm, tapered to a serrulate beak, 1–2 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scales bronze with wide hyaline margins, concealing the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, smaller than the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).