Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous. Culms single or close together, trigonous, (10-)40-80(-120) cm × 1.2-2.5(-5) mm, glabrous. Leaves 2-5, pleated, (10-)20-50(-90) cm × 2-5(-10) mm. Inflorescences: spikes 1-4(-7), loose, broadly ovoid to ovoid-pyramidal, 25-35 × 25-35 mm; rays (4-)5-6(-8), (1-)3-8(-16) cm, glabrous; 2d order rays (0-)1-5, 5-15(-50) mm; bracts 4-7, ascending at 30-45°, pleated, (5-)20-40(-60) × (2-)3-8(-11) mm; 2d order bracts 1-4 per ray, 5-10(-30) × 0.5-1 mm, scabridulous; rachilla persistent, wingless (or very narrowly winged, not clasping achene). Spikelets (10-)20-35(-45), seemingly flattened proximally from spreading floral scales, becoming terete apically, linear, (10-)13-18(-25) × 1.2-1.5(-1.6) mm; floral scales deciduous, (10-)12-20(-25), laterally light reddish brown to dark red, medially greenish, laterally ribless, medially 3-5-ribbed, oblong-ovate, 1.7-2(-2.4) × 0.9-1.2 mm, apex obtuse, barely reaching next scale, apex entire, emarginate, mucro at most 0.3 mm. Flowers: anthers 0.4-0.5 mm; styles 0.3-0.6 mm; stigmas 1-1.8(-2) mm. Achenes dark brown, narrowly oblong, (1.3-)1.4-1.6(-1.7) × (0.3-)0.4-0.5 mm, base cuneate to ± stipelike, apex acute, not apiculate, surfaces papillose.

Fruiting summer. Marshes; 0 m; Fla., N.C.; Mexico; West Indies (Dominican Republic south through the Lesser Antilles); South America; Asia; Africa.