Shrubby bamboo. Culms to 1.5 cm in diam.; internodes terete, to 24 cm, glabrous, nearly solid; supra-nodal ridges level; sheath scar prominent, with persistent remains of sheath base. Branches 7–11 per node. Culm sheaths narrowly triangular, longer than internodes, leathery, waxy, purple spotted adaxially, brown setose, proximal setae curved, distal setae straight, longitudinal ribs prominent, margins usually densely brown setose, apex linear-triangular; auricles formed by rolled sheath shoulders; oral setae erect, yellow-brown, 4–15 mm; ligule truncate, 1–2 mm, margins initially ciliate, external ligule densely brown setose; blade readily deciduous, reflexed, linear-lanceolate, glabrous, usually rolled or rugose. Leaves 2–4 per ultimate branch; sheath margins initially densely ciliate; auricles absent; oral setae few, erect or curved, light yellow, 3–11 mm; ligule truncate, ca. 0.5 mm, glabrous; external ligule densely gray pubescent; blade lanceolate, thin, 5.5–14 × 0.8–1.6 cm, glabrous, secondary veins 3–5-paired, transverse veins distinct, base broadly cuneate, margins spinescent-serrulate, apex long acuminate. Inflorescence unknown.