Plants perennial, tufted. Culms 40–80(–100) cm tall, ca. 2 mm in diam., (2 or)3–5(or 6)-noded, densely appressed hairy at nodes. Leaf sheath membranous or fibrous, smooth, but those of lower leaves sometimes hairy; ligule 0.2–0.6 mm, membranous; auricles usually absent; leaf blade glaucous green, flat, 6–15 × 0.3–0.8(–1) cm, stiff, both surfaces scabrous or adaxial surface pilose. Spike pale whitish glaucous or greenish violet to somewhat dark violet, 4–10 × (0.3–)0.5–0.7 cm; rachis usually tough except apically, margin scabrous hairy. Lateral spikelets:pedicellate, male or perfect and setting seeds; glumes setaceous, rarely somewhat flattened at base, equal or proximal one slightly shorter (6–10 mm); lemma 5–7 mm, pubescent, awn 4–9 mm; palea usually equaling lemma. Central spikelet: sessile, lanceolate; glumes setaceous, 5–10 mm; lemma 5–7 mm, densely shortly hairy, awn 5–10 mm; palea subequaling lemma, apex truncate or acute. Anthers usually yellow, 1.1–2 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep. 2n = 14.
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