Perennial, rhizomatous and tufted, up to 1 m high. Leaf blades up to 300 mm long, up to 3 mm wide. Basal sheaths tomentose or glabrous. Spikelets (sessile) 6-10 mm long (lower glume glabrous or with a few hairs at tip, callus acute to pungent, 1.5-2.0 mm long). Raceme pairs with 2-4 awns 25-55 mm long; raceme bases covered with stiff hairs, upper raceme base with a linear scarious appendage 3-4 mm long.