Perennial, old basal sheaths persistent. Culms ca. 20 cm tall, glabrous. Leaf sheaths densely pubescent in lower part; leaf blades ca. 5 cm × 2–4 mm, glabrous or both surfaces pubescent, adaxial surface and margins scabrid. Panicle contracted, 5–10 cm; lower branches crowded, erect, each bearing 5–15 clustered spikelets. Spikelets 15–25 mm, green or tinged with purple, florets 5–7; glumes acuminate, lower glume 7–10 mm, 1-veined, upper glume oblong, 8–12 mm, 5-veined; lemmas 10–12 mm, glabrous or scabrid, awned from apex; awn 4–9 mm. 2n = 14.