Usually weakly tufted (rarely shortly rhizomatous), glabrous perennial, culms ascending or erect, to c. 80 cm high, cauline leaves often well-developed. Leaf-blades flat or inrolled toward the tip, to 15 cm long, 2–5 mm wide; ligules lacerated, 2–5 mm long. Inflorescence usually a rather sparse ovoid panicle 10–35 cm long, initially contracted, the capillary branches finally spreading but still somewhat inclined to rachis, usually bare of spikelets in lower half. Spikelets 1.8–2 mm long, mostly light green, sometimes tinged purple; glumes subequal or the lower slightly longer, keeled at least in the upper part and usually scabrous along the keel; lemma 1.2–1.8(–2) mm long glabrous, awnless; palea absent or minute. Anthers to 0.5 mm long. Flowers Nov.-Apr.