Short with rhizomes extensively running, sometimes forming large stands but not dense clumps. Culm 1-3 m, permanently light green and ± concolorous or very strongly mottled and blotched dark purplish brown. Culm-sheath glaucous-white when young, at maturity obscuring much of the culm. Branches only from upper nodes. Leaf-sheath without oral bristles. Ligule 2-3 mm, truncate, densely puberulent. Leaf-blade ± horizontal, (10)-14-38 × (2)-4-9 cm, elliptic, narrowly ovate-elliptic, or lanceolate-elliptic, abaxially glaucous or glaucescent, glabrous, tessellate, adaxially shining deep green. Inflorescence of small panicles, each composed of a few short racemes, 2-4 cm. Spikelets 10-14 mm, 5-10-flowered. Lemmas 10-14 mm, tessellate.