Loosely tufted perennial up to 60 cm high, the slender stems arising from a knotty rootstock; leaves linear. Panicle subspiciform, 5–17 cm long, interrupted, with very short appressed branches; bristles 2–5 mm long, but inconspicuous. Spikelets lanceolate, 2.5–3.5 mm long; glumes obtuse to subacute, the lower 1/4, the upper 1/2 the length of the spikelet; lower floret male; upper lemma rugose, c. 0.5 mm shorter than the lower.
