Perennial, loosely tufted. Culms erect, 20–30 cm tall, 2-or 3-noded. Leaf sheaths smooth; ligule 1–2 mm; leaf blade flat, 5–8 cm, 1.5–2.2 mm wide, smooth or adaxial surface scabrid. Panicle open, 5–8 × 3–5 cm; branches 2 per node, 3–4 cm, lower part naked, branchlets and spikelets in upper half, smooth or rarely slightly scabrid. Spikelets ca. 6 mm, tinged purplish red, florets 4–6; glumes ovate-lanceolate, lower glume 1.5–2 mm, 1-veined, upper glume 2–2.5 mm, 3-veined, apex obtuse or slightly acuminate; lemmas 2.5–3.4 mm, glabrous, apex obtuse; palea keels smooth or sparsely scabrid in upper part; anthers 1.3–2 mm. Fl. Jun–Aug.