Herbs, perennial, cespitose, with inconspicuous, short rhizomes scarcely visible between culm bases. Culms basally cormlike, trigonous, 30-100 cm × 2-4 mm, glabrous. Leaves V-shaped to flat, 20-70 cm × 3-8 mm, adaxial surface, margins minutely scab-ridulous. Inflorescences: spikes loose, broadly ellipsoid to ovoid, 4-7 × 2-6 cm; rays 6-13(-16), 4-25 cm, glabrous; rachis 1.5-3 cm; bracts 3-6, horizontal to ascending at 30°, flat, 5-35 cm × 2.5-6 mm; rachilla persistent, wings 0.4-0.5 mm wide. Spikelets (13-)20-60(-74), linear, ± terete, (11-)13-25(-28) × 1.2-1.5 mm; distal spikelets spreading or ascending; floral scales persistent, (2-)3-6, stramineous, red-purple striate, laterally 3-5-ribbed, ovate-lanceolate, 4.5-5.3 × 1.2-1.5 mm. Flowers: anthers 1-1.5 mm; styles 1.5 mm; stigmas 1.5 mm. Achenes brown to purplish brown, oblong-linear (5-6 times long as wide), 2.6-3 × 0.5-0.6 mm, base cuneate, apex obtuse, surfaces puncticulate. Fruiting summer (Jul-Aug). Sandy riverbanks, gravelly roadsides, pastures, disturbed places; 20-300 m; Ala., Ark., D.C., Ga., Md., Mo., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va. Cyperus refractus is often mistaken for C. strigosus, which has shorter anthers (0.4-0.5 mm) and spreading, ± deciduous floral scales.