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Spikelets 3–8 × c. 1.5 mm, linear to oblong-lanceolate, lightly laterally compressed, 3–9(12)-flowered, the florets disarticulating from below upwards, the rhachilla persistent; glumes subequal, 1–1.6 mm long, reaching to between 1/2 and 2/3 the way along the adjacent lemmas, lightly keeled, oblong-lanceolate in profile, glabrous or faintly scaberulous, subacute to acute at the apex; lemmas 1.4–1.6 mm long, dorsally rounded or lightly keeled above, semi-ovate in profile (with straight keel and gibbous margins), membranous with distinct lateral nerves, diverging from the rhachilla at up to 45°, those in opposite rows not imbricate, the rhachilla visible between them, variegated with green and purple, pallid or yellow at the apex, smooth or faintly scaberulous on the flanks above, obtuse at the apex; palea deciduous with or soon after the lemma, glabrous on the flanks, the keels slender, wingless, scaberulous; anthers 3, 0.6–0.9 mm long.
Densely tufted perennial, up to 600 mm high; usually hygrophyte; rhizome oblique; leaves mainly basal. Leaf blade up to 200 x 1.5 mm, flat, usually glaucous; ligule a fringe of hairs. Inflorescence an open, lax panicle, branches with spikelets spreading, lowest branches 2 or 3 or solitary, not whorled. Spikelets up to 8 x 1-2 mm, linear to narrowly oblong, laterally compressed; rachilla persistent or upper part fragile, florets breaking off in groups; glumes shorter than spikelet, 1-nerved. Florets many; lemmas deep purple or violet with yellowish apices, always bicoloured, entire, 3-nerved; palea margins very close for entire length, just touching to overlapping at apex, keels a thin line, entire, smooth or scaberulous; anthers 3, 0.8-1.2 mm long. Flowering time Oct.-May.
Perennial; usually a hydrophyte; up to 0.6 m high; densely tufted or with oblique rhizome. Leaf blades up to 200 x 1.5 mm; mainly basal; flat; usually glaucous. Flowers: panicle open; lax; branches and spikelets spreading; lowest branches solitary or 2 or 3; not whorled; spikelets up to 8 x 1-2 mm; spikelets linear to narrowly oblong; rachilla persistent or upper part fragile and florets breaking off in groups; glumes 1/2-2/3 length of lemmas above them in intact spikelet; lemmas deep purple or violet with a yellowish apex; sometimes mostly yellowish but always bicoloured; palea margins very close for entire length; just touching to overlapping at apex; palea keels a thin line; entire; smooth or scaberulous; anthers 3.0-1.2 mm long.
Densely caespitose perennial with short horizontal rhizome; culms up to 50 cm tall, usually erect, unbranched, glabrous at the nodes, with scattered gland-dots; basal leaf sheaths glabrous or obscurely pubescent, chartaceous, terete or lightly compressed and keeled, gland-dotted along the midnerve, persistent; ligule a line of hairs; leaf laminas 3–12(17) cm × 1.5–2.5 mm, linear, flexuous or coiled, flat or involute, glabrous, rarely gland-dotted on the midnerve beneath.
Tufted, glandular perennial, up to 0.6 m tall, rhizomes short, oblique. Leaves linear; ligule a fringe of hairs. Inflorescence a panicle, usually open, lowest branches not whorled. Spikelets up to 8 x 1-2 mm, many-flowered, rhachilla persistent, awnless; glumes subequal, shorter than spikelet; lemma bicoloured, usually deep purple with yellow apex, lateral nerves distinct; anthers 0.8-1.2 mm long.
Panicle (2.5)4–12(18) cm long, ovate to ovate-oblong, loose and open (very rarely somewhat contracted), the spikelets evenly distributed on pedicels 0.8–2.5 mm long, the primary branches not whorled, terminating in a fertile spikelet, glabrous in the axils, rarely with scattered gland-dots.
Caryopsis c. 0.6 mm long, oblong.
