Tufted perennial up to 50cm. Flattened basal leaves and flattened culms (flowering stems). Florets in spikelets, lateral; bracts in a spiral, the outermost sterile; male florets are placed at intervals up the stem and each floret has one stamen; the single terminal (top end of flowering stem) female floret has 3-7 style branches. Fruit nut-like.

Greek: chrysos = gold, thrix = hair; referring to the colour of the hairy flowers.