Rhizomatous perennial, culms 3–7 noded, erect, usually geniculate at base, to 1 m high, scabrous. Leaves retrorsely scabrous, occasionally ciliate; blade flat, to 20 cm long and 1 cm wide but usually smaller; ligule membranous, 1–2 mm long. Inflorescence a dense, ovoid panicle, 1–4 cm long (excluding awns), ovoid to broad-oblong prior to anthesis; glumes subequal, acute, 2.5–4 mm long, long-scabrous along the keels; lemma (including apical lobes 0.5–1 mm long) equal to or slightly exceeding glumes, callus hairs dense, c. 1 mm long; awn 7–16 mm long. Flowers Oct.–Jan.
Wim, GleP, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, HFE, VAlp. Also WA, SA, Qld, NSW, LHI, NI, ACT, Tas. A fairly common species of moist forests, frequently associated with a rocky or skeletal substrate.
