A slender, perennial forb that is between 10 and 18 inches tall. The stem is triangular, and the leaves are pale green. Leaves are between 5 and 8 inches long, and are clustered near the plant’s base. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, consisting of green-brown scale like parts. The flowers are concentrated in groups of 2 to 4, with the terminal group having both male and female flowers. The female flowers are situated above the male flowers.