Herbs, perennial, cespitose, rarely solitary, 4--25 cm. Stems compact. Leaves in fans, 3--8(--10) cm; sheath base with distinct chestnut brown patch; blade olive green, narrowly linear, flat, 1.5--5 mm wide, smooth, margins smooth. Inflorescences: scape sheaths equaling principal leaves; scapes narrowly linear, 0.5--1 mm wide, distally 2-ribbed; spikes ovoid, mostly longer than broad, 3--8 mm, apex acute; fertile bracts 4--5 mm, margins entire, apex keeled. Flowers: lateral sepals included, strongly curved, 2.5--3.5 mm, keel concolorous, firm, ciliate; petals unfolding in morning, blade obovate, 3 mm; staminodes bearded. Seeds translucent, broadly ellipsoid, 0.3 mm, finely ridged longitudinally, with fainter cross-ridges. 2n = 18.

Flowering summer--fall. Acid, sandy-peaty pine flatwoods, seeps, bogs, coastal plain; of conservation concern; 0--200 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., Tex.