Densely tufted, tall reed-like perennial 1000-1200 mm high; base of plant glabrous. Leaf blade to 600 x 4-7 mm. Inflorescence 120-250 mm long, densely contracted. Spikelet (9.0-)13.5-16.5 x 9-11 mm, (2-)3-4-flowered; glume 10-15 mm long, 1-nerved, usually pubescent; lemma 6-8 mm long, including lobes, which extends into short, soft awns, back completely covered with white hairs; central awn 9-13 mm long; anther 3.3-2.5 mm long.
Reed-like perennial to 1 m. Spikelets in a dense plumose panicle, straw-coloured, glumes 1-nerved, lemma 6-8 mm long, backs evenly villous, not tufted, awn 9-13 mm long.