Tufted perennial, sometimes slightly woolly at base, culms simple, densely glandular-pubescent below panicle, erect, to 55 cm high, nodes densely bearded. Leaves scabrous and pubescent with simple and glandular hairs; blade flat to closely inrolled, to 15 cm long and 2.5 mm wide; ligule to c. 0.5 mm long. Inflorescence a dense, ovate to oblong, spike-like panicle 3–7 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, usually lead-coloured. Spikelet 3–4-flowered, with 1(–2) fertile; glumes 5–9-nerved, pubescent, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 2.5–7 mm long, sub-equal, or the upper slightly longer; body of lower lemma hairy, membranous to papery with raised nerves, 2–3 mm long, margins ciliate; awns 4–8 mm long; palea of lower floret equal to or slightly exceeding body of lemma, shortly hairy. Flowers Aug.–May.