Perennial, tufted. Culms erect, often geniculate, 30–70 cm tall, 1–2 mm in diam., terminal node in lower 1/3. Leaf sheaths glabrous; ligule 0.7–1.5 mm, obtuse; leaf blade conduplicate or slightly inrolled, 2–8 cm, 1–3 mm wide, adaxial surface scabrid. Panicle loose, 6–15 cm; branches 2–5 per node, slender, horizontally spreading, scabrid or smooth, lower part naked. Spikelets 2.5–3.5 mm, usually tinged purple, florets 2–4; lower glume ca. 0.6 mm, 1-veined, upper glume ca. 1.2 mm, 3-veined, apex subobtuse; lemmas 1.5–2.2 mm, glabrous or subglabrous, apex obtuse; palea keels smooth or with a few small teeth; anthers 0.8–1.4 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul. 2n = 14, 56.