Tricholaena capensis subsp. capensis

Tufted perennial 200-600 mm high; lower part of culm adpressed hairy and/or with prickles. Leaf blade 30-70 x 2.0-3.5 mm, adpressed hairy and/or with prickles. Spikelet 2-3 x 1 mm, grey, wholly or flushed strongly with purple or purplish-brown, hairy; glumes unequal; lower glume (0.8)1.0-3.0 mm long, up to half as long as spikelet; glumes and lower lemma covered with dense hairs (0.8)1.0-3.0 mm long; anther 1.5-2.0 mm long.