Spikelets 1.5–2 mm. long, asymmetrically ovate, sparsely to densely pilose; inferior glume as long as the spikelet, 3-nerved, separated from the superior glume by a short internode; superior glume 5-nerved; inferior lemma 5-nerved, its palea well developed, male; superior lemma and palea pallid, scaberulous.
Leaf laminae 2.5–8.5 cm. long and 10–20 mm. wide, lanceolate or narrowly ovate, amplexicaul, acute or acuminate.
Panicle 6–9(14) cm. long, ovate, moderately branched, the branches stiff and bearing glandular patches.
Annual with erect or decumbent branching culms 30–100 cm. long, often rooting at the lower nodes.