Perennials to c. 2 m. Leaves basal, blades long. Inflorescence terminal anthelodium; lowest 3 bracts foliose; spikes numerous, glumes spirally arranged. Flowers bisexual, perianth bristles 5, stamens 3, stigmas 3. Nut trigonous. A monotypic genus, related to Scirpus s. str. (S. sylvaticus L.); also resembling Schoenoplectus (sect. Schoenoplectus), but separated by presence of long leaf blades; perianth bristles present.