It is 30–90 centimetres (12–35 in) high with the leaves being strongly keeled, Y-shaped and are 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in) wide.

[1] The species culms are erect, smooth on the bottom and scabrous above.

The upper spike is gynaecandrous but under rare circumstances can be androgynaecandrous.

Glumes are yellowish-brown to red-brown are acute, obtuse and mucronate.

They are hispid above, pale brown coloured while their beak is 1.5–2.5 millimetres (0.059–0.098 in) in length.