Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous. Culms trigonous, (7-)20-70(-85) cm × (0.5-)1-1.8(-2.6) mm, glabrous or sparsely to densely scabridulous on surfaces or on angles immediately proximal to inflorescence in distal 3-6 cm. Leaves 2-3, flat to V-shaped, (12-)20-40(-55) cm × (2-)3-5(-7) mm. Inflorescences: spikes (1-)3-4(-6), largest erect, others at base of central spike, erect spike sessile, loosely to densely cylindric to ovoid-cylindric, (12-)18-30 × (6-)12-20 mm, remaining spikes 1/2 as large; rays absent; bracts (2-)3-6(-10), ± horizontal to reflexed parallel to culm, (2-)6-16(-25) cm × (1.5-)2-4(-7) mm; rachilla ± deciduous, wingless. Spikelets (8-)15-30, spreading to ascending-appressed, oblong-lanceoloid, quadrangular, slightly compressed, 5-8(-10) × (2-)2.4-3.4(-4.2) mm; floral scales (2-)4-6(-8), yellowish, reddish, or greenish brown, medially greenish, straight to excurved, laterally (2-)3-4(-5)-ribbed, medially (1-)3-(-5)-ribbed, ovate-orbiculate, 2.4-2.8(-3.4) × 2.4-2.8(-3.4) mm, apex obtuse, mucronate to cuspidate, stout, (0.1-)0.3-0.6 mm, medially glabrous. Flowers: anthers 0.4-0.8 mm; styles 0.7-1.3 mm; stigmas 0.7-1.2 mm. Achenes finely reticulate, brown to reddish brown, ± stipelike, obovoid, 1.6-1.9 × 1.1-1.4(-1.6) mm, base attenuate to cuneate, 0.1-0.2 × 0.2 mm, apex obtuse, apiculate, surfaces glabrous. Fruiting summer.

Santa Catalina Mountains.
Location: Oracle Ridge Trail.
7/30/15

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