Almost all true sedges have separate male and female catkins, but both on the same plant - that is, they are monoecious. Meaning, un-like grasses, the florets themselves are not bisexual. The single stem is triangular in cross-section, with its exact shape (edges flat, concave or convex; corners sharp or rounded) and whether it is hollow or not, and if so, the size and shape of the hollow tube within (whether round, triangularish, large, medium, or small diameter) of great importance in identification. The other important characteristics is whether the ovaries have two or three styles, and the exact shape and size of the ovaries and whether they are beaked or not. Also dignostic is the number of stigmas; whether two or three. The shape and spacing of the two brown bracts (looking like shields) on the side of the ovaries, and the shape of the separating space (the sinus) between the bracts can all help pin down the ID.