Rhizomatous, perennial, herb (rush-like), 0.15-0.6 m high. Fl. brown-red, Aug to Nov. White or grey sand, clay, often saline. Winter-wet swamps, coastal dunes, salt lakes.
Rhizomes spreading, glabrous. Basal sheath glabrous, dull, striate. Culms terete, internal structure (at base of culm) hollow in upper part, glabrous, striate, not marbled, not fasciculate. Culm 100-510 mm long. Sheaths (including blade) appressed throughout, dull, striate, glabrous, margins not translucent. Apex finely pointed, glabrous. Dioecious (with separate male and female plants). Male and female inflorescences similar, posture (male inflorescences only) Distinctly drooping, Culms unbranched below the inflorescence. Male spikelet 4-5.2 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, Outer bract 2.8-4 mm long, margins thin and translucent, Apex acute. Perianth glabrous. 1.8-2 mm long. Inner bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acute. Inner bract 3-3.5 mm long. Filament 0-0.2 mm long. Anther 1-1.2 mm long. Female spikelet 4-4.5 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acute. Outer bract 2-3 mm long. Perianth glabrous. Inner bracts 1.5-1.8 mm long, glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acute. Style three (or three-branched). 2.5-3.5 mm long. Fruit indehiscent (nut). Flowering Time August, September, October or November. Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregions Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Mallee or Esperance.