Tall, to 1 metre Sedge with tubular, rush like stems which replace the function of leaves of a typical sedge. True leaves are found on young plants and new regrowth following a fire. Flowerheads are produced in spring (September-October). Spikelets or male and female flowers are produced together in a dense head. When the female flowers are receptive, pale sticky stigmas decorate the dark bracts of the head.

A sedge with a rhizomatous (running) habit. Grows to about 40 cm high. Leaves are fine, greyish and gracefully curled at the ends. Generally quite sparse. Flowering stems are produced in September. Dark, narrow spikelets of male flowers are produced on the ends of the inflorescences while chubby female spikelets occur lower on the stems.