Perennials, tufted. Culms erect, 15–40 cm tall. Leaf sheaths smooth, uppermost sheath reaching lower part of panicle; ligule 2–3 mm, acuminate; leaf blades flat or conduplicate, 3–6 cm, 1.2–3 mm wide, margins and adaxial surface scabrid. Panicle contracted, 8–12 × 2–3 cm, branches 2–5 per node, axis and branches scaberulous. Spikelets 6–7 mm, green or slightly tinged with purple, florets 6–9; lower glume 1–1.5 mm, 1-veined, upper glume 1.5–2 mm, 3-veined; lemma 2–2.2 mm, glabrous or subglabrous, upper keel spinulose, margins broadly membranous, apex obtuse or almost truncate; palea keels conspicuously spinulose on upper half; anthers 0.5–0.7 mm. Fl. May–Jul.