Dioecious, neatly tufted perennial up to 80cm.

Culm: Simple.

Flowerhead: The female spathes are 2-3cm long, overlapping and with apices reflexed, completely obscuring the flowers.

Distribution: Ceres to Kogelberg and Riviersonderend mountains.

Note: Latin: spatha = a broad flat wooden instrument for stirring liquids, a spatula; -aceus = indicates resemblance; spathe-like.