Perennial, rhizomatous. Leaf blades linear; ligule lanceolate. Inflorescence a long contracted panicle; pedicels short. Spikelets with 1 floret, bisexual; glumes lanceolate-oblong, upper glume slightly longer than lower, membranous, 3–5-veined with transverse veinlets; callus very short, obtuse, glabrous; lemma terete, equaling upper glume, papery with membranous upper margins and apex, 5–7-veined, villous, apex shortly toothed, awned from between teeth; awn caducous, fine, scabrid; palea subequal to and resembling lemma, 5–7-veined, without keels, villous, not enclosed by lemma at maturity. Lodicules 3. Stamens 3, anthers glabrous or tips penicillate.