Culms tufted, 20–35(–45) cm tall, erect or slightly geniculate, scabrid or glabrous, nodes 2 or 3, at or above base, upper part often naked, uppermost internode frequently thick, up to 1–2 mm. Shoots extravaginal. Leaf sheath longer than blade; blade flat or folded, 3–8 cm × 1–2 mm, scabrid; ligule (0.5–) 1.5–2.5(–7) mm. Panicle 3–5(–10) × 1–2 cm, branches 1–3(–5) per node, spikelets scattered. Spikelets 4.5–5.5(–8) mm, rachilla glabrous to pilose; glumes subequal, usually almost as long as spikelet; lemma 2.5–3.8 mm, keel, veins and area between veins hairy to entirely glabrous; callus webbed or glabrous; palea glabrous to pubescent between keels. Anthers 1.2–1.4 mm. Fl. Aug–Oct.