Glabrous perennial plant not more than 1 m tall; stem slender. Leaves usually absent from the flowering stem, very narrow, linear, 1-2 (-3) mm broad. Flowering stem at base surrounded by several short, bladeless lance-tipped sheaths. Male and female parts of inflorescence separate; male spikes hairless; pollen in tetrads; female spikes cylindric, sometimes enlarged above, dark brown in colour; female flowers covered by bracts; hairs and bracts are equal in length.

Fl. Per.: June-August.

Type: Austria, Salzburg Untersberger Moor, Funck.

Distribution: Central and Atlantic Europe to Asia.