Herbs, perennial, cespitose, rhizomatous. Culms basally cormlike, trigonous, 5-40 cm × 0.5-1.3 mm, glabrous. Leaves V-shaped, 5-25 cm × 1-3 mm, slightly minutely scabridulous abaxially on margins, midrib. Inflorescences: spikes loosely ± globose, 6-20 mm wide; rays 1-8 cm; rachis 1-4 mm; bracts 3-8, ascending, V-shaped, 3-20 cm × 1-3 mm; rachilla deciduous, wings hyaline, 0.6 mm wide. Spikelets 3-18(-28), oblong-lanceoloid, compressed, 3-12 × 1.8-2.5 mm; floral scales deciduous, 2-11, yellowish brown to reddish brown, laterally 3-4-ribbed, ovate, 2-2.8 × 1.6-2.2 mm, apex mucronulate. Flowers: anthers 0.7-1 mm; styles 0.4-0.6 mm; stigmas 1-2 mm. Achenes dark brown, ± stipitate, ellipsoid, 1.5-2 × 0.7-1 mm, apex obtuse, apiculate surfaces glabrous or puncticulate. 2n = 166. Fruiting summer. Coastal dunes, well-drained woods, railroad yards; 0-200 m; Conn., Del., Ga., Md., Mass., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., R.I., S.C., Va.