Densely tufted perennial 170-430 mm high; rhizomatous; basal sheaths papery, not glossy. Leaf blade 50-250 x 1-6 mm, often filiform. Inflorescence lowest branches whorled, primary branches short, contracted; spikelets evenly distributed along the distal half of the branches. Spikelet 2.5-5.0 mm long; lower glume 2/3-3/4 as long as spikelet, apex acute; upper glume longer than spikelet, apex acute to acuminate; lemma oblong to narrowly ovate; anther 1.9-2.4 mm long.
Perennial, densely tufted and rhizomatous. up to 430 mm tall. Leaf blades 50-250 mm long, 1-6 mm wide (often filiform). Basal sheaths papery, not glossy. Spikelets 2.5-5.0 mm long. Panicle with lowest branches whorled, primary branches short and contracted; lower glume two-thirds to three-quarters the spikelet length; upper glume longer than spikelet.