Erect, caespitose annual or short-lived perennial. Culms to 20 cm high, 2 or 3-noded; midculm nodes and internodes glabrous to lightly scabrous. Leaves: basal sheaths scabrous; ligule 1.5–4 mm long, obtuse, becoming laciniate with age; blade flat or folded, to c. 20 cm long, 1–2 (–8) mm wide. Panicles open, to 25 cm long, fully or partially exserted, becoming purple with maturity; peduncle smooth to scabrous; primary branches whorled. Spikelets 2.5–4 mm long; pedicel clavate, 4 mm long or more; rachilla extended into a plumose bristle 0.2–2.5 mm long. Glumes diverging, subequal, acuminate, each usually with a seta to 0.5 mm long. Lemma 1–3.5 mm long, glabrous, 2–4-fid at apex, awned, 5-nerved, with lateral nerves prolonged into short setae; awn arising 5–10% lemma length from apex, fine, weak, to 4 mm long. Palea 80–85% length of lemma, entire or minutely bifid. Stamens 3; anthers 0.4–0.8 mm long.
Home