Coarse annual 1–4(–6) m, often branched above, scabrous below the infl and below the smooth nodes; sheaths villous along the margins above; blades flat, scaberulous (especially above and along the cartilaginous margins), up to 60 × 3.5 cm; infl cylindric, to 4.5 dm, curved or nodding, often interrupted near the base, its axis scabrous and densely villous; spikelets 1.8–2.5 mm, each subtended by 1 or 2 antrorsely scabrous bristles 1–2 cm; first glume 3-veined, a third as long as the spikelet; second glume 7-veined, about equaling the fertile lemma; sterile lemma slightly exceeding the fertile one, 5-or 7-veined, with an ovate, hyaline palea the same length, sometimes staminate; fertile lemma concealed by the second glume and sterile lemma, smooth, shiny, brownish, disarticulating above the more persistent glumes and sterile lemma; 2n=36. Coastal salt-marshes from N.J. to Fla. and Tex., and intr. in W.I. and C. Amer.
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