Japan Flora: Culms tufted, l(M0 cm. long, decumbent at base; leaves 1-3 mm. wide; inflorescence corymbiform (often a head in forma nipponicus T. Koyama); bracts 2 or 3, much longer than the inflorescence; spikelets spicate, divergent, compressed, narrowly oblong, 1-2 cm. long, 25-3.5 mm. wide, (rscely to 4 mm. wide in forma spectabilis (Makino) Ohwi), sanguineous; scales broadly ovate, 25-35 mm. long, obtuse, entire; achenes 2/5-1/2 as long as the scale, biconvex, dark brown, broadly obovate; stigmas 2. July-Oct. Wet places.
Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu; common. Warmer parts of the E. Hemisphere.