Culms tufted, erect, 70–120 cm tall, 3-or 4-noded, pale pubescent at nodes. Leaf sheath margin ciliolate; leaf blade broadly linear, to 1 cm wide, scabrous, glabrous or adaxial surface shortly pubescent. Spike laterally compressed, 3–7 cm excluding awns, glabrous, rarely pubescent, apex with sterile spikelets; rachis compressed, easily disarticulating. Spikelets with 2 or 3 florets, usually basal floret fertile. Glumes lanceolate or subobovate, 6–8(–9) mm, slightly shorter than proximal florets, obscurely 7-veined, usually glabrous and lustrous, 2-keeled; 1 keel prominent, scabrous distally, prolonged at apex into triangular, acute tooth 0.75–1.5 mm; other keel less prominent, prolonged at apex into much smaller, subacute tooth. Lemma obscurely 9-veined; awn 5–10 cm. Palea usually longitudinally breaking at maturity. Caryopsis ca. 7 × 3 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Jul. 2n = 14.
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A grass plant. It is a one seeded wheat. The grains are small, flinty and like rice.
The seed is used for beers and vinegars. It is also used for food. The grain is ground into flour for bread, biscuits, pasta, icecream cones, and porridge.
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