Culms 5-30 cm × 0.5-1.5 mm. Leaves 3-11 cm × 1-2 mm. Inflorescences: spikes (1-)2-5, ovoid-ellipsoid, 2.5-10(-12) × 2-4.5 mm; bracts 2-3, spreading to slightly reflexed, 4-12(-14) cm × 1-2.5 mm. Spikelets: floral scales 3; 1st scale yellowish brown to light reddish brown, midvein green, obtrullate, 1.5-2 × 0.3-0.5 mm, apex acuminate; 2d scale oblong, 1-1.6 × 0.2-0.4 mm; 3d scale oblong, 1-1.5 × 0.2-0.4 mm; stamens 1; anther 0.5 mm; stigmas 3. Achenes obovoid to narrowly ellipsoid, roundly trigonous, 0.7-1 × 0.2-0.3 mm. Fruiting summer-early fall. Ditches, swales, emergent shorelines; 0-200 m; Ala., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., N.C., S.C., Va.