Culms 7-35 cm × 0.5-0.8 mm. Leaves longest involucral leaf spreading to reflexed, 3-10 cm × 1.5-1.7 mm. Inflorescences: spikes (1-)2-4(-5), ovoid, 2-8 × 2-4 mm; bracts 2-3, 1-13 cm × 1-2 mm. Spikelets: floral scales 2-3; 1st scale obtrullate, 1-1.8 × 0.2-0.3 mm, apex acuminate, outward curving 0.2-0.3 mm; 2d scale sometimes absent, oblong, 0.6-1.1 × 0.2 mm; 3d scale sometimes absent, oblong, 0.6-1 × 0.2 mm; stamens 1-2; anthers 0.25 mm; stigmas 2. Achenes narrowly ellipsoid to obovoid, terete, 0.7-1 × 0.15-0.20 mm, 3.5-5 times long as wide.

Fruiting summer. Wet, disturbed sites in pinelands; 50 m; introduced; Ala., Fla.; Asia; Australia.