Culms robust, 30–90 cm tall. Sheath of lower leaves retrorsely pubescent; leaf blade flat, 5–8 × 0.3–0.6 cm, scabrous or sometimes pubescent. Spike nodding, ± secund, dense, 5–11 cm; internodes 3–8 mm. Spikelets 1 per node, usually very shortly pedicellate, purplish green, with 3 or 4(or 5) florets. Glumes linear-lanceolate, 3-veined; proximal glume 4–4.5 mm, awn 2–3.5 mm; distal glume 4.5–5.5 mm, awn ca. 5 mm. Lemma lanceolate, very scabrous; first lemma ca. 11 mm; awn divaricate, 15–22 mm. Palea subequaling or equaling lemma, hispid along keels, apex subobtuse. Anthers 1.5–1.8 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Jul. 2n = 42*.