Perennials or rarely annuals, mostly caespitose, shortly rhizomatous or without rhizomes. Culms branched or not. Leaves: ligule membranous or less often firmer; auricles often present, sometimes 1-sided, grading into ligule; blade rolled or folded in bud, convolute, terete or flat, usually scabrous or hairy. Inflorescence usually exserted, contracted or open, with spikelets gaping or not; axis persistent or falling as a whole. Glumes unequal to equal, 1–5-nerved. Lemma terete, with convolute or involute margins enclosing palea, with 1 or 2 apical lobes or unlobed, hardened, usually 5-nerved, hairy throughout or partially glabrous; corona absent; coma present or not; awn persistent, geniculate, with column well-developed at maturity. Palea 20–100% of length of lemma, or rarely very slightly longer than lemma, membranous, 0–2-nerved. Lodicules 2 or 3.
Many species of Austrostipa are important components of native pastures. The diaspores (‘seeds’) frequently penetrate the skin, mouths and eyes of livestock, causing discomfort and resulting in loss of condition of livestock as well as downgrading the value of the meat. These diaspores also contaminate wool.
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