H.B.K., Nov. Gen. & Sp.1:207.1816 Small perennial, 5-35 cm tall; culms slender, glabrous. Leaves linear, 3-6 mm wide, purplish at ground level. Bracts subtending inflorescences leaflike, to 30 cm long; inflorescences simple, with 1-3 sessile spikelets at apex of a ray 10-20 cm long; spikelets 5-15 (20) mm long, many-flowered, compressed; scales with a green keel, acuminate; stamen 1. Achenes subglobose, trigonous, ca 1 mm long, brownish, densely papillose, roughened. Croat 15157. Frequent in the forest. Flowers and fruits principally in the rainy season (April to October).