Large perennial, l-2 m tall; culms in large clumps, erect or geniculate and rooting at lower nodes, glabrous. Sheaths longer than the internodes, glabrous to densely pubescent, especially along margins; blades 25-50 cm long, 2-3.5 cm wide, scabrous especially on underside of veins and on margins. Panicles 15-30 cm long, often spikelike, dense, the axis densely villous; bristles 1 or 2 below each spikelet, l-2 cm long; spikelets 2-3 mm long, glabrous; first glume about half as long as spikelet; second glume slightly longer than the first; sterile lemma equaling fruit. Fruits transversely rugose, minutely green-crested, white. Croat 11717.