Tufted perennial, 30-60 cm. Stem trigonous, scabrous or smooth above. Leaves slightly shorter than stem; sheaths reddish; blades 2-4 mm wide, flat, soft. Inflorescence of 3-5 spikes, terminal gynecandrous, lower female, 1-2 lowest long-pudunculate; bracts longer than inflorescence; spikes c. 6 mm, ovoid or obovoid; glumes 1.2-1.7 mm, wide ovate, blunt, dark reddish brown. Utricles c. 2 mm, obovoid, trigonous, slightly inflated, glabrous, smooth, finally golden-brown, base abruptly contracted; beak very short, c. 0.1 mm, truncate, black-brown. Stigmas 3. Nut obovoid, trigonous.

Type: Nepal, Wallich 3381 ’ex parte’ (K).

In alpine region, c. 4000 m; Distribution: From Kashmir to Sikkim and Central China, Japan.