Coarse, erect, short-lived perennial or annual, l-2 (4) m tall; culms semiwoody at base, to 1 cm thick, usually unbranched, glabrous, rooting at lower nodes. Sheaths shorter than the internodes near base, closely overlapping near apex, glabrous or puberulent and glaucous, often ciliate near apex; ligules usually 0.5-1.5 cm long; blades linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, cordate-clasping at the base, 15-40 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, glabrous above, glabrate below, scabrous on the margins. Inflorescence a large, diffuse panicle to 1 m long, the branches mostly whorled toward the base, ridged, scabrous on ridges; spikelets broadly obovate, ca 3.5 mm long, sessile to short-pedicellate; first glume one-half to one-third as long as spikelet, lanate-pubescent at tip; second glume and sterile lemma slightly shorter than the fruit, similarly pubescent at tip. Fruits indurate, white and shiny. Croat 6108. Uncommon, on the shore and in the Rear Lighthouse Clearing. Flowers and fruits throughout most of the rainy season, with most flowers appearing in June and July, most fruits by September.