2n = 48

2n = 48

Scrambling, bambusiform, rhizomatous perennial with stout, bare internodes below but leafy above, emitting cataphyll-surrounded shoots at rhizome and at nodes; inflorescence short, infrequent; cleistogenes common along stems. Leaf-sheath keeled, glabrous, < culm internodes, margins membranous, apex with conspicuous tufts of hairs 1.5-3-5 mm sometimes absent. Ligule 0.2-0.3-0.5 mm, erose, ciliate. Auricles 0. Collar thick, fringed by some hairs from sheath apex. Leaf-blade 10-30 cm × 2-5 mm wide, becoming long and fine, midrib evident, glabrous; margins scabrid, prickles spaced throughout but fewer below. Culms to 1.5 m × 2-2.5 mm diam., many noded, glabrous or hairy, or densely long hairy below nodes, longitudinally grooved. Inflorescence a narrow raceme 6-19 cm, internodes short, 3-10 solitary spikelets, or panicle to 15 cm of short and long branches at nodes, > internodes, up to 20 spikelets; rachis densely hairy at nodes sometimes throughout, branches and pedicels hairy. Spikelets 14-17 mm, on short or long pedicels. Glumes unequal, 1-nerved, occasionally bifid, margins and apex ciliate; lower 0.5-1-2 mm, ≤ callus hairs, upper 2-3-5 mm, > callus hairs. Lower Ø lemma 8-11-15 mm, 3-5-nerved, finely prickle-toothed, margin shortly (0.5-0.75 mm) hairy; adaxially finely hairy, awn < ⅕ lemma length; callus hairs 0.5-1.0 mm; upper Ø lemma 12-14-18 mm, 5-7-nerved, keel prickle-toothed, margin ciliate, finely prickle-toothed, awn < ½ lemma length; callus hairs few. ☿ lemma 6-7.5-10 mm, 5-7-nerved, awn 0 or 0.3-0.5 mm from shortly lobed ciliate apex, finely prickle-toothed above, glabrous below, keel toothed. Palea 4.5-5.5-6.5 mm, membranous, becoming acute; keel, upper margins and apex long ciliate. Lodicules 2, 0.8-1.0-1.75 mm, irregularly lobed or entire, sometimes hair-tipped. Stamens 4; anthers 1.0-2.5-4.5 mm, yellow. Gynoecium: ovary 0.7-1.3 mm; stigma-styles 1.0-2-3.5 mm, stigmatic branches to apex of ovary. Caryopsis 3-4.5-5.5 mm; embryo 1 mm. 2n= 48. Chasmogamous and cleistogamous.