2n = 60

2n = 60

Very robust dense wide-leaved tussocks to 1 m high. Inflorescence of 6-9 (or more) sturdy, ± approximate, ± sessile, chestnut-brown spikes to 10 × 1.5 cm. Glumes > utricles. Stigmas 3.

Very robust, forming dense, light green tussocks up to 60 cm. diam. Culms 15–90 cm. × 2–4 mm., trigonous with angles rounded, glab.; basal sheaths cream, grey, or yellow-brown. Lvs often overtopping the infl., 6–15 mm. wide, double-folded, with keel not very much thickened, rather soft and spreading, margins slightly scabrid with rather distant teeth; sheath only slightly broader than lamina, paler green. Spikes 6–9–(15), brown, very sturdy, 3.5–11 × 0.5–1.5 cm.; upper 2–4 spikes male, occ. with a few female fls intermingled, ± approximate, ± sessile; lower spikes female, the lowest often compound, on stout erect peduncles; bracts lf-like, > infl. Glumes > utricles, linear-oblong, or lanceolate, noticeably emarginate, membr., chestnut-brown, the pale greenish brown midrib produced to a very long hispid awn. Utricles 4.5–6 × c. 2 mm., subtrigonous, oblong-obovoid, turgid, distinctly nerved, straw-coloured to light brown tinged; abruptly narrowed to a rather shallowly bifid beak c. 1 mm. long, margins and orifice occ. slightly scabrid; much contracted to a very pale brown stipe c. 1 mm. long. Stigmas 3. Nut c. 2 mm. long, trigonous, oblong-obovoid, dark brown.