Perennial, densely tufted. Culms erect, 20–40(–50) cm tall, slender, 1–1.5 mm in diam. Ligule 1.7–3.5 mm; leaf blades usually inrolled, 3–5 cm, 0.3–1.2 mm wide. Panicle loose, 5–12 cm; branches 1–2 cm, ascending and then spreading, scabrid. Spikelets 4–7 mm, usually tinged with purple, florets 2–6; lower glume 1.3–1.6 mm, upper glume 2–2.8 mm, apex subacute; lemmas 2.5–3.5(–4) mm, shortly hairy on lower part of veins, apex acute to acuminate; palea keels pubescent on lower part, scabrid on upper part; anthers 1.4–2.3 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul.