Perennial, 10-40(-70) cm. Stem compressed, 1-1.5(-3) mm diam, with bulbous base, smooth. Leaves c. half of the stem length; ligule absent; blades 2-3(-5) mm wide, margins scabrous towards abruptly acuminate apex, greyish green. Inflorescence an anthelodium with (4-)6-12(-35) spikes; bracts to 6 cm; primary branches smooth, secondary branches to 6 cm. Spikes 5-10 x 3-4 mm, solitary or geminate, ellipsoid to globose, terete, obtuse, brown, rachilla narrowly winged; glumes 3-4 mm, midrib prominent, sides obscurely many-nerved, glabrous or sparsely hairy. Stamen 3, anthers 1.5-3 mm; stigmas 2, ciliate in upper part. Nut 1.3-1.5 x 1.1-1.2 mm, obovoid, biconvex, finely reticulate.

Syntypes: Royle 53, 60, 74, and Wallich 3519.

Grasslands; Distribution: From Pakistan and N. India to S. China, N Thailand, Philippines.

Description is modified from that by Kern in Fl. Malesiana 7,3: 582. 1974.