Perennial, densely tufted. Culms slender, 20–50 cm tall, ca. 0.5 mm in diam. Ligule 1.5–3 mm; leaf blades 4–10 cm, 0.3–1.5 mm wide, narrowly linear, usually convolute, adaxial surface slightly scabrid. Panicle straight or slightly spreading, loose, 5–12 cm; branches slender, smooth or slightly scabrid. Spikelets 3–4 mm, florets 3–5; glumes obtuse, lower glume ca. 0.7 mm, upper glume ca. 1.5 mm; lemmas 1.7–2.3 mm, usually purple, pubescent near base, apex obtuse; palea keels ciliate on lower part, scabrid in upper part; anthers 1–1.5 mm. Fl. May–Jul. 2n = 14.