A perennial herb 15–40 tall. Leaf sheath tapered to blade, lobes 0 to membranous, ear-like; blade 6–18 mm wide when fresh, 5–15 mm wide when dry, gland-dotted on inside near base. Inflorescence naked axis between staminate and pistillate flowers (0)1–8 cm; staminate bractlets irregularly branched, straw-colored to cinnamon-brown; pistillate stalk ± 0.5 mm, peg-like, spike < 35 cm, 15–25 mm wide in fruit, bright yellow- to orange-brown, bractlet > pedicel hairs, tip acute to acuminate. Staminate flower- pollen grains single. Pistillate flower- stigma linear; sterile ovary rounded to ± truncate, generally < pedicel hairs, pale brownish, hair tips straw-colored to orange-brown. Fruit achene; wall thin, splitting in water.

Diuretic (leaves); astringent, desiccant, diuretic, haemostatic and vulnerary (pollen); astringent and diuretic (rootstock); haemostatic (seed).

Plants For A Future

The pollen is used in the treatment of nose bleeds, haematemesis, haematuria, uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, postpartum abdominal pain and gastralgia, scrofula and abscesses.

Contraindicated for pregnant women.