Livid sedge is a graminoid, 20-50cm tall, with densely flowered female spikes that are ovoid to short-cylindric. Lateral spikes are erect or ascending on stiff peduncles, terminal spikelets are staminate. Perigynia are rounded and broadly spindle-shaped, strongly ascending in the spikes, glaucous, fusiform, and heavily papillose, beak is minute or absent, erect, and straight, achenes are pale to dark brown. Proximal sheaths are pale to dark brown, occasionally red tinged, leaf blades are very glaucous, channeled, coriaceous, and 1-3mm wide. Pistillate scales are pale brown to dark purple-brown with broad green centers and narrow hyaline margins and obtuse to acute.
Its very glaucous, channeled, leaves that are 1-3mm wide and its rounded, broadly spindle-shaped perigynia that are strongly ascending in the spikes, glaucous, and beakless are distinguishing characteristics.