2n = 48

2n = 48

Rhizomatous, perennial with fine elongate stem internodes with tufts of narrow leaves from which a long slender shortly-branched inflorescence emerges. Rhizome short; branching extravaginal; cataphylls 1-2 cm, bases swollen, shining, keeled, acute. Internodes elongate, slender, shining glabrous, stramineous to brown. Leaf-sheath glabrous, keel stout, margin membranous. Ligule 0.75-1 mm, broadly triangular. Auricles 2, margin hairs 1.5-2-2.5 mm. Leaf-blade 8-15-25 cm × 4-5-6 mm wide, bright green, keel stout; margins sharp, coarsely prickled in close-set columns, becoming smooth below except for some short, stiff hairs near ligule. Culm to 60 cm, laterally compressed, internodes longitudinally grooved, glabrous. Panicle 20-25-35 cm, narrow, slender, nodes ± close, branches ± appressed, erect, filiform, ≥ internodes; nodes with short branches of close-set spikelets and longer branches naked below; rachis longitudinally grooved, rachis, branches and pedicels with fine prickles. Spikelets 15-23 mm, numerous, solitary, on short or long pedicels. Glumes unequal, covering the base of spikelet, margins ciliate; lower 0.2-0.6 mm, 1-nerved, < callus hairs, upper 0.75-1.0-1.7 mm, 3-nerved, triangular acute or irregularly lobed or erose, > callus hairs. Lower Ø lemma 5-10-16 mm, 3-5-nerved, prickles on keel and above smooth elsewhere, adaxially hairy above, awn ½ lemma length, sometimes ≤ ☿ lemma; callus hairs to 0.5 mm; upper Ø lemma 14-20-25 mm, 3-5-nerved, densely prickle-toothed on keel and above, smooth elsewhere, adaxially hairy above, awn ½ lemma length; callus hairs to 1.5 mm. ☿ lemma 5-6-10 mm, 3-5-nerved, awn 0 or short (0.1-0.5 mm) between small lobes, margins ciliate above, apex deeply bifid (0.4-0.8 mm) and ciliate. Palea 3-3.5-4.5 mm, membranous, hyaline, 1-nerved, apex ciliate; often enclosed by upper Ø lemma. Lodicules 2, 0.8-1.0-1.5 mm, > ovary, lobed, several nerves. Stamens 2; anthers 1.0-1.7-2.2 mm, yellow. Gynoecium: ovary 0.65-0.75 mm; stigma-styles 1.0-1.3-2.2 mm, naked below. Caryopsis 3-3.5-4 mm; embryo 0.5-0.6 mm. 2n= 48.