Ground level or underground stems not developed horizontally or vertically. Leaves mostly basal. Blades adaxial surface glabrous. Leaf or reduced bract closely associated with the base of the inflorescence absent. Terminal spike with both sexes in each floret.
Flowers sessile or subsessile.
Stigmas per style 3. Ecology and habitat. This species can form dense stands. In wet meadows and tundra, it is typically found with Carex aquatilis var. Plants in habitat .