Culms laxly tufted, erect or geniculate at base, (40–)50–75 cm tall, rigid, 3-or 4-noded, glabrous. Leaf sheath glabrous or retrorsely puberulent; leaf blade involute, 3–10(–25) × (0.1–) 0.2–0.4 cm, both surfaces puberulent, margin ciliate. Spike curved, 7.5–8 cm. Spikelets 10–15 mm, with 4–6 florets. Glumes ovate-lanceolate, 3-or 4-veined, glabrous but scabrous along midvein distally, apex acute; proximal glume 2–4 mm, sometimes 1-or 2-veined; distal glume 3–5 mm. Lemma oblong-lanceolate, 5-veined, laxly puberulent; first lemma 7–8 mm; awn 1–3 mm. Palea equaling or slightly longer than lemma, pubescent abaxially, ciliate along keels distally. Anthers yellow or nearly black. Fl. and fr. late summer. 2n = 42*.