Shortly rhizomatous, tufted perennial, culms exceeding leaves, to 1 m high. Leaves scabrous, usually involute (soemtiems loosely) in vivo, to c. 60 cm long, 1.5–2 mm when flattened; ligule membranous, 0.5–1 mm long. Inflorescence a loosely contracted panicle, sometimes partly retained at the base in the upper leaf sheath. Glumes acuminate, subequal, 14–18 mm long, purplish when young; lemma cylindric 5.5–7.5 mm long, scabrous-tuberculate; corona 3.5-5 mm long, membranous, minutely fringed apically; callus c. 2 mm long with white hairs to 0.5 mm long; awn once-or twice bent, 45–90 mm long, twisting in the lower one-third, scabrous; palea hyaline, c. 1.5 mm long. Flowers Oct.–Feb.
VVP, HSF. Native to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. First noticed in Victoria near Thomastown in 1995, and since recorded from several grassland sites, mostly on basalt-derived clay soils, in nearby areas (Epping, Craigieburn etc.).
