Plants cespitose, not rhizomatous. Culms 14–50 cm, terete, smooth distally. Leaves involute, 0.8–1.5 mm wide, usually shorter than culms. Spike with staminate portion separated from pistillate portion by short internode or sessile, 8–25 × 1.4–2.2 mm. Pistillate scales pale brown to green, proximal ones bractlike and long-awned. Staminate scales pale brown, apex obtuse. Anthers 1.2–5.2 mm. Perigynia (1–)2–6(–8), pale green to pale brown, faintly several-veined, 4.7–7.2 × 2.3–3.1 mm.

Fruiting mid May–late Jul. Dry slopes and seasonally wet seepage areas in chaparral and open pine forests; 100–2200 m; Calif., Oreg.