Densely tufted perennial. Culms 20-70cm high erect, scabrid below the inflorescence. Leaf-blades flat or convolute, 3-20cm long, 2-5mm wide when flat, sometimes overtopping the inflorescence, smooth, acute or pungent; ligule 5-7mm long, lacerate at the tip. Inflorescence 2.5-5cm long, 5-6 (-8) -spiculate. Spikelets 4-6-flowered, 15-20mm long, excluding the awns, each subtended by a deciduous, oblong, membranous scale 7-9mm long; glumes lanceolate – acuminate, often mucronate or shortly awned, the lower 7-nerved, 12.5-14.5mm long, the upper 11-13-nerved, 14-16mm long; lower lemma 12-14mm long, 11-13-nerved, shortly hairy in the lower half with hairs 2-3mm long; awn 15-25mm long; uppermost floret rudimentary, comprising a lemma 03-2.5mm long with an awn 4-8mm long.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: June-July.

Type: Kashmir, Duthie 13155 & 13382 (K).

Distribution: Pakistan (N.W.F.P. & Kashmir); Northwest India.

Common in Birch woods at high altitude (3300-4400m).