Culm nodes bearded; leaf sheaths and blades thinly pilose; leaf blades flat, 12–25 cm × 5–9 mm. Panicle elliptic in outline, 17–21 cm; branches 3–6 cm, ascending; pedicels with a few stiff hairs at apex. Spikelets 3–3.5 mm; glumes glabrous; upper lemma thinly cartilaginous, scabrid, without lateral bristles; awn 2.3–2.6 mm, column ca. 0.5 mm; callus hairs 1/2 length of lemma.

This variety has the setose pedicel tips of Arundinella setosa, but differs substantially in its bearded nodes, smaller spikelets, long callus hairs, lack of lemma lateral bristles, and awn structure. It will probably prove to be a distinct species when better known.

* Thickets on mountain slopes; ca. 2000 m. W Yunnan.