Dense clump-forming; habit spreading. Culms very numerous, 3-5 m × 1-2 cm diam. (except in small cultivated forms), many uniformly deep green but always some with prominent yellow stripes or bands. Culm-sheath with caducous black hairs; ligule short, inconspicuous; auricles 0; sheath-blade triangular. Branches several at each node, often branched secondarily, forming a tuft, the central branch largest. Leaf-sheath with long white apical bristles. Ligule abbreviated. Auricles present. Leaf-blade 6-15 × 0.6-1.5 cm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, glaucous, abaxially finely puberulent. Inflorescence culms short, arising from periphery of clump, very slender. Spikelets sessile, several-flowered, in small distant clusters; bracts ensheathing clusters 1.3-1.8 cm. Lemma = palea. Lodicules membranous.