Herbs, perennial, cespitose, (15-)30-100 cm. Culms not basally cormlike, trigonous, (15-)30-100 cm × 1-3 mm, glabrous. Leaves V-shaped, 10-65 cm × 2-4 mm. Inflorescences: spikes densely ovoid to cylindric, 8-17 mm wide; rays 1-6, 2-10 cm, glabrous; rachis 4-8 mm; bracts 3-9, ± horizontal, flat, 4-20 cm × 2-4 mm; rachilla persistent, wings deciduous, 0.2(-0.3) mm wide. Spikelets 30-80, oblong-lanceoloid, ± terete-quadrangular, 4-7 × 1.5-2 mm; distal spikelet spreading or ascending; floral scales persistent, 4-6, appressed, stramineous, laterally 3-ribbed, oblong-elliptic, 1.9-2.6 × 1.1-1.5 mm. Flowers: anthers 0.3-0.5 mm; styles 0.5 mm; stigmas 1-2 mm. Achenes brown, ± stipitate, oblong-fusiform, 1.2-1.5 × 0.4-0.6 mm, apex ± acute, surfaces puncticulate.

Fruiting spring-summer. Sandy soils of beaches, coastal woods; 0-100 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C.