Dense thicket-forming with rhizomes running extensively. Culm 10-12 m, green, later yellow, curving over slightly towards apex; nodes with one prominent ridge, otherwise inconspicuous, none congested. Culm-sheath glabrous, light brownish yellow or greenish brown, mottled dark brownish; auricles present, at least when young; oral bristles deciduous; sheath-blade ± linear. Branches dense, primary branches at c. 45 . Leaf-sheath with conspicuous auricles and long oral bristles. Leaf-blade 8-14-(20) × 1-2.7-(4.5) cm, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, abaxially glaucescent. Inflorescence to 30 cm, narrowly paniculate. Spikelets subtended by sheath-like bracts with leafy blades. Glumes 2.3-2.7 cm, including apical bristle, ± purple, glabrous or nearly so. Lemma and palea 1.5-2 cm, minutely puberulent, ± tinged purple, aristate. Lodicules c. 2 mm, ± obliquely lanceolate. Stamens long exserted; anthers c. 1 cm. Style and stigmas purple.