The plant is more or less glabrous, arising from creeping rootstocks. The stems are usually solitary, 10 to 40 centimeters high. The leaves are up to 15 centimeters in length or longer, 3 to 4 millimeters wide; with the bracts similar. The spikes are ovoid, simple, white, 8 to 13 millimeters long. The spikelets are very numerous, 3 to 3.5 millimeters long, the flowering glume distinctly winged along the keel. The nut is up to 1.5 millimeters long.

Sudorific, refrigerant, demulcent and tonic (decoction of roots); diuretic (decoction of rhizome)

Bureau of Plant Industry

The decoction of fresh roots are used in treating malaria with chills, to relieve thirst in fevers and in diabetes. The decoction of rhizome mixed with oil, it is externally employed to combat certain forms of dermatosis. The oil distilled from the root is used to relieve pruritus of the skin. Internally the oil is given in torpor of the liver.