Densely tufted, 2–6 dm; lvs borne mostly at or near the base, with a prominent tuft of white hairs at each side of the summit of the sheath, the blades curly, usually involute, seldom over 12 cm, 1–2 mm wide; lower sheaths often containing cleistogamous spikelets; infl contracted, racemiform, 2–5 cm, the short branches rarely with more than one spikelet; glumes 8.5–13 mm; lemmas broadly ovate, sparsely pilose on the back, 3.4–5.2 mm, including the triangular-acuminate teeth 0.8–1.8 mm; awn 4.5–7 mm; often apomictic, with abortive anthers; 2n=36. Dry woods in sandy or stony soil; Nf. to Fla., w. to B.C. and N.M.