Raceme 6–9 cm long, stiff, grey; internodes narrowly clavate, densely pubescent, the scarious rim at the summit complete and concealing much of the callus.
Pedicelled spikelet much reduced, up to 6 mm long including the occasional awn of the inferior glume.
Densely caespitose perennial; culms up to 95 cm high; leaf laminas 7–20 cm × 2–5 mm.