Tufted perennial, herb (rush-like), 0.2-1 m high. Fl. brown/brown-yellow, May or Aug to Dec. Sand, clay. Winter-wet depressions, inundated areas, swamps, sometimes in saline sites.
Rhizomes tufted, hairy. Basal sheath glabrous, glossy, striate. Culms terete, internal structure (at base of culm) hollow, glabrous, striate, not marbled, not fasciculate. Culm 190-700 mm long. Sheaths (including blade) appressed throughout, glossy, not striate, glabrous, margins not translucent. Apex obtuse, glabrous. Dioecious (with separate male and female plants). Male and female inflorescences distinctly dissimilar, posture (male inflorescences only) Distinctly drooping, Culms unbranched below the inflorescence. Male spikelet 6-10 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, Outer bract 3.5-4 mm long, margins thin and translucent, Apex acute. Perianth glabrous. 1.5-2 mm long. Inner bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Inner bract 2.5-5.2 mm long. Filament 0-0.2 mm long. Anther 0.5-1 mm long. Female spikelet 9-12 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Outer bract 5-6.3 mm long. Perianth hairy. 6-8 mm long. Inner bracts 6.5-7 mm long, glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Style one, arising centrally from the ovary apex. 4-6 mm long. Fruit indehiscent (nut). Flowering Time May, August, September, October, November or December. Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregions Geraldton Sandplain, Swan Coastal Plain, Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Warren or Esperance.