Perennial, densely tufted, up to 1.75 m high. Leaf blades up to 600 mm long; 4-5 mm wide. Spikelets 35-40 mm long (including awns); lower glume half the length to nearly as long as the upper, firm below, upper third to two-thirds membranous and often torn, mucro or awn absent; lemma articulation present between apex of lemma and base of column; column 4-6 mm long, twisted; awns 3, equal to subequal; callus tip naked, emarginate to distinctly bifid.
Densely tufted perennial to 1750 mm high. Leaf blade to 600 x 4-5 mm. Spikelet 35-40 mm long (including awns); lower glume 2/3 the length to nearly as long as upper glume, firm below, upper 1/3-2/3 membranous and often torn, mucro or awn absent; lemma articulation present between lemma apex and column base; column 4-6 mm long, twisted; awns three, equal to subequal; callus apex naked, emarginate to distinctly bifid; anther 4.2-6.5 mm long.