2n = c. 50

Tufted and lfy. Culms 50–90 cm. × c. 3 mm., smooth, ± compressed. Lvs ± = culms, 4–8 mm. wide, flat, distichous, isobilateral equitant, striated, pale green, tip acute, margins glab. Panicle 15–50 cm. long, narrow, erect from a long sheath with short lamina; branchlets flexible, fascicled from upper sheaths. Spikelets , c. 5 mm. 1ong, light red-brown, 2–3-fld, 1–2 fls fertile. Glumes 5–6, ovate, acuminate or acute, chartaceous, striped with brown, scabrid on back towards tip, margins minutely ciliate. Nut, including beak, c. 4 × 2 mm., trigonous, red-brown, very shortly stipitate, narrowed above to a long, triquetrous, scabrid beak.