Plants 7-35 cm tall. Stem erect, much branched; lower branches ascending, upper ones suberect. Leaves oblanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 1.5-3.5 × 0.3-0.8 cm, 1-veined, base attenuate, apex rounded or acute, mucronate. Spikelike inflorescence slender, loose, usually 6-10 cm; bracts lanceolate to ovate, base rounded, apex acute or acuminate. Perianth segment 1, oblong or broadly elliptic, apex lacerate. Stamens 1(or 3). Utricle yellow-green, sublustrous, broadly elliptic, 2-3 × 1.5-2 mm, glabrous, base broadly cuneate, apex rounded; body obovate; wing distinct, margin irregularly denticulate; beak triangular, short, apex erect, bifid. Fl. and fr. May-Jul.

Dunes, sandy places, field margins. N Xinjiang [Afghanistan; C Asia, SW Asia (Iran)].