Herbs, annual, cespitose, rarely solitary, 7--30 cm. Stems short. Leaves in fans, (1--)2--3(--10) cm; sheath base without chestnut brown patch; blade strongly maroon-tinged, lance-linear, 1--3(--4) mm wide, margins papillate or finely tuberculate-scabrous. Inflorescences: scape sheaths much exceeding leaves; scapes filiform, nearly terete, 0.5 mm wide, many ribbed; spikes mostly ovoid, mostly longer than broad, 4--8(--10) mm, apex acute; fertile bracts 3--5 mm, margins entire or erose, apex keeled. Flowers: lateral sepals included, strongly curved, 2--3 mm, keel concolorous, firm, ciliate; petals unfolding in morning, blade obovate, 2.5--3 mm; staminodes bearded. Seeds translucent, broadly ellipsoid to round, 0.3 mm, finely lined longitudinally. 2n = 18. Flowering spring--early summer (all year south). Acid, sandy, peaty flatwoods, clearings, disturbed moist sands, coastal plain; 0--200 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C.