Perennial, rhizomatous; rhizome short, branching, densely clothed in scale leaves. Culms with scales at base, 0.5–0.7 m tall, branched above base, glabrous. Leaf sheaths glabrous, lower longer but upper shorter than internodes; leaf blades lanceolate, reddish when dry, 3–8 × 0.5–0.7 cm, glabrous, abaxial surface pruinose, base subcordate, apex acute; ligule ca. 0.5 mm. Racemes 5, digitate, 3–4 cm, hairs whitish; rachis internodes (2–)3–4(–6) mm, densely ciliate. Sessile spikelet 4–4.5 mm, pinkish brown; callus hairs 1/3 spikelet length; lower glume oblong-lanceolate, back almost flat, villous below middle, finely 1-veined between keels, apex obtuse; upper lemma 2-lobed to below middle; awn ca. 6 mm, slightly twisted. Anthers ca. 2.5 mm. Fl. and fr. May–Dec.