2n = 42

n = 21

Dense, often small, dull green, usually strict, perennial tufts, (3)-5-30 cm, with narrow, usually dark purplish, sometimes green spike-like panicles on slender culms much overtopping to scarcely overtopping leaves; branching intravaginal. Leaf-sheath ± membranous, light green or pale brownish, glabrous, ribs few distinct, rarely minutely scabrid above. Ligule 1-2-(3) mm, acute to truncate, usually fimbriate to lacerate, abaxially scabrid. Leaf-blade 1-7 cm × 0.4-0.7 mm diam., folded with involute margins, often filiform, or strict and firm, ± erect, sometimes more flattened and wider, to 2 mm, abaxially smooth or finely scabrid, adaxially finely scabrid on ribs; margins finely scabrid, narrowed to fine subobtuse tip; uppermost culm leaves abaxially scabrid. Culm erect, internodes glabrous. Panicle 1-4.5-(10) cm, contracted, erect, densely narrow-linear, longer panicles densely oblong, > 5 mm wide; rachis smooth or obscurely scabrid, branches and pedicels short, erect, capillary, finely scabrid. Spikelets (1.5)-2-3-(3.5) mm. Glumes ± unequal, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acute to subobtuse, usually tinged deep reddish purple, occasionally entirely green, margins colourless or purplish, usually finely scabrid on keel and at times near tip, otherwise smooth or papillose; lower = spikelet, upper (1.4)-2-2.5-(3) mm. Lemma 1.4-2 mm, glabrous, 5-nerved, lateral nerves often faint, oblong-ovate, obtuse or truncate, usually minutely denticulate; awn 0, or present and dorsal, from midpoint or from just below upper ⅓, 0.5-2-(2.5) mm, delicate, usually projecting beyond glumes. Palea c. 0.4 mm, ovate. Lodicules 0.3-0.4 mm. Callus with very few minute hairs or glabrous. Anthers 0.4-1 mm. Caryopsis c. 1 × 0.3-0.5 mm.

Dense, often small, dull green, usually strict, perennial tufts, (3)-5-30 cm tall, with narrow, usually dark purplish, sometimes green spike-like panicles on slender culms much overtopping to scarcely overtopping leaves; branching intravaginal. Sheaths ± membranous, light green or pale brownish, smooth, with a few distinct nerves rarely minutely scabrous above; ligule 1—2—(3) mm, acute to truncate, usually fimbriate to lacerate, abaxially scabrous; lamina 1- 7 cm × 0.4-0.7 mm, folded with involute margins, often filiform, or strict and firm, ± erect, sometimes more flattened and wider, to 2 mm, abaxially smooth or finely scabrous, adaxially finely scabrous along nerves, margins finely scabrous, narrowed to fine subobtuse tip; uppermost culm leaves abaxially scabrous. Culms smooth, erect Panicle 1-4.5-(10) cm long, contracted, erect, densely narrow-linear, longer panicles densely oblong, > 5 mm wide; rachis smooth or obscurely scabrous, branchlets and pedicels short, erect, capillary, finely scabrous. Spikelets (1.5)-2- 3-(3.2) mm (excluding awns if present). Glumes ± unequal, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acute to subobtuse, usually tinged deep reddish purple, occasionally entirely green, margins hyaline, colourless or purplish, usually finely scabrous on keel and at times near tip, otherwise smooth or papillose; lower glume = spikelet, upper glume (1.4)-2-2.5-(3) mm. Lemma 1.4-2 mm, smooth, glabrous, 5-nerved, lateral nerves often faint, oblong-ovate, obtuse or truncate, usually minutely denticulate; awn 0, or present and dorsal, from mid-point or from just below upper 1/3, 0.5-2-(2.5) mm, delicate, usually projecting beyond glumes. Palea c. 0.4 mm, ovate. Lodicules 0.3-0.4 mm. Callus with very few minute hairs or glabrous. Anthers 0.4-1 mm. Caryopsis c. 1 × 0.3-0.5 mm.