Tufted perennial without rhizomes; culms 15-75 cm high, erect or geniculately ascending. Leaf-blades nearly always involute, up to 30 cm long, occasionally flat and then up to 4 mm wide. Panicle pyramidal or narrowly lanceolate, loose, up to 20 cm long, the primary branches erect or somewhat spreading, 1.5 – 5 cm long, bare at the base. Spikelets 1.2-1.6 mm long.