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Although a small moss, the species may grow into a larger tuft as shown here (Photo 1). The clump is about 4 X 2X 2 cm. It was found on limestone pavement (alavar). When dry, leaves are twisted and curled (2). When wet they are erect to erect- spreading (3). A wet leaf is shown in 4, about 2 mm. Generally leaves are expressed as oblong- lanceolate. The leaf is comprised of two distinct parts (4,7,8): A hyaline proximal area of enlarged cells and a distal part of irregularly quadrate cells (4-7,9.) The largest hyaline cells found along the margin towards the base are 75 um in length or more. Distally the laminal cells are heavily papillose by complex papillae (8). Papillae are best seen marginally towards the tip (6). These cells are about 12 um. The tip is generally obtuse and apiculate (4-6). Distally, leaf margins are raised and cover part of the lamina and form part of the distinct cucullate tip (5,9).

Carex viridula featured on the right. This photo is a convenient comparison of three members of section Ceratocystis, all growing in association with one another on the mineral sand shorelines of an alkaline lake. Carex cryptolepis is in the middle; C. flava on the left.