Culms pluricaespitose, predominantly tillering in fertile soil, more separated in poor soil. Culms basally erect, apically slightly pendulous, 5–8(–13) m, 2–4(–6.5) cm in diam.; internodes deep green and glaucous initially, light yellow when old, 30–50(–75) cm; wall 4–8 mm thick; pith membranous; nodes weakly prominent, ridged; intranode 6–12 mm; sheath scars brown setose, later glabrous. Culm sheaths initially green and setose, with persistent papillae and imprints of setae; ligule 2–4 mm, dentate; auricles absent; oral setae present; blade lanceolate, tomentose at base, margins ciliate, undulate. Leaves (1–)4–6; sheath setose, pilose, margins ciliate; ligule (1.5–)2–4 mm, slightly hairy, dentate, initially ciliate; blade lanceolate, 10–20(–30) × 2.5–3 cm, abaxially pubescent, adaxially glabrous, secondary veins 5–8(–11)-paired; petiole short, densely pubescent.Inflorescence paniculate, 5–11(–15) × 2–4 cm; spikelets purple-black, cylindrical, 2–3 × ca. 0.4 cm; rachilla internodes compressed, 2–3.5 mm; florets 4–7. Glumes ovate-lanceolate; lemma oblong or lanceolate, pubescent; palea 2-cleft; lodicules sparsely ciliolate at margin. Anthers 4–5 mm. Ovary ovoid; stigmas 2 or 3, ca. 2.5 mm plumose. Caryopsis slightly curved, ca. 1 cm, beaked, suture slender. Fl. late Mar–Apr or May, fr. late May.
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