C. setigera D. Don var. schlagintweitiana (Boeck.) Kük. in Engler, Pflanzenr. IV.20, 38: 419. 1909; C. setigera var. humilis Nees in Wight, Contr. Bot. Ind.: 126. 1834.

Tufted, 14-20 cm. Rhizome short, with stolons, which covered by to 15 mm, yellowish, strongly nerved scales. Stem ascending, obtusely trigonous, smooth. Leaves longer than stem; sheaths 40-50 mm, yellowish, light-brown or vinaceous, disintegrating into fibrous net, margin of scarious side concave; ligule c. 0.1 mm; blades 0.8-1.7 mm, involute or folded, adaxial margins setose, margins and keel scabrous towards apex. Inflorescence of 1 male and 1-2 female spikes, latter occasionally androgynous; bracts longer than inflorescence, lowest sheath to 12 mm. Male spikes 14-20 x 1-2 mm, narrowly fusiform, light brown; male glumes 3.4-3.8 x c. 0.8 mm, narrowly ovate, acute or with barbed arista to 0.5 mm, light brown, margins widely scarious. Female spikes 8-15 x 1-2.5 mm, with peduncle up to 20 mm, erect, light-brown to brown; female glumes 2.3-3 x 0.7-0.8 mm, ovate, obtuse to acute, brown, with wide scarious margins, midnerve barbed. Utricles c. 2.5 mm, ovoid, conspicuously setose, beak c. 0.5 mm, setose, bidentate. Stigmas 3. Nuts not seen.

Fl. Per.: April - July.

Lectotype: India, Himachal Pradesh, Environs of Simla, 6000-7300 ft, 29.3.-10.4. 1856. Schlagintweit 5056 (BM!).

Mountain slopes, 2000-3000 m; Distribution: From Pakistan to Himachal Pradesh, India.

For identity of the species, see also Noltie in Edinb. J. Bot. 50: 193. 1993.