Caespitose, extravaginally branching perennial. Leaf-sheath hairy. Auricles short clasping. Ligule short, lacerate. Leaf-blade hairy. Culm short stiff erect, internodes usually hairy. Inflorescence short, spike-like raceme of imbricate, pedicelled spikelets broadside to tough hairy rachis; rachis prolonged. Spikelets appressed or becoming reflexed, laterally compressed; disarticulation flat, and above glumes. Glumes persistent, rigid, shining or dull, indurate or foliaceous, patent or reflexed; awn-like; adaxially antrorsely hairy. Lemma 5-7-nerved, variously ornamented, terminated by sharp, shining or dull awn. Palea keels denticulate. Anthers 1-3 mm. Ovary with hairy apical corona 0.5-1 mm, apex with hispid hairs. Caryopsis linear, adhering to anthoecium. Chasmogamous or cleistogamous.