Perennial, tufted with short scaly rhizomes. Culms 0.6–1.2(–2) m tall, 2–5 mm in diam., often branched, internodes glabrous, nodes pubescent. Leaf sheaths glabrous; leaf blades broadly linear, 10–25 cm × 4–10 mm, sparingly tuberculate-hispid on both surfaces. Panicle loosely contracted, narrowly oblong in outline, 16–32 cm; central axis and branches somewhat scabrid; branches 5–13 cm, fasciculate or whorled, spikelets solitary in upper part; pedicels glabrous. Spikelets 2–2.5 (–2.8) mm, purplish; glumes subequal, glabrous; lower glume 1.9–2.5 mm, 5-veined; upper glume as long as spikelet, 5-veined; lower floret staminate or bisexual, slightly longer than lower glume, mucronate or shortly awned; upper floret bisexual or often reduced, lemma 1.1–1.8 mm, apex awned; awn 1.3–2.8 mm, weakly geniculate with slightly twisted column; callus hairs ca. 1/3 length of lemma. Fl. and fr. Jul–Dec.

This species has remarkably small spikelets, and the sex of the two florets is variable, with the lower floret sometimes bisexual and the upper one reduced.

* Thickets at roadsides; 1000–1400 m. W Yunnan.