Tufts (3)–5–20–(40) cm, whole plant often withering early and culms not breaking up below panicle. Leaf-sheath subhyaline, smooth, or often minutely scabrid above. Ligule (0.2)–0.5–3 mm, abaxially sparsely scabrid. Leaf-blade 1–8 cm × 1.5–3–(5) mm, flat, or sometimes involute and c. 0.5 mm diam. Culm (1)–4–14 cm. Panicle (2)–3–12 × 0.5–8.5 cm; branches slender, sparsely scabrid. Spikelets (2.5)–3–4–(6) mm. Glumes narrow elliptic-lanceolate, usually equal or the upper slightly shorter, acute to acuminate to shortly mucronate, 1-nerved. Lemma (1.5)–1.8–2.5 mm, oblong-ovate; awn 3–6 mm, geniculate, slightly twisted near base. Palea nerves 0.1–0.2 mm apart. Callus hairs to 0.5 mm. Rachilla prolongation 0.2–1 mm, with hair tuft 0.5–1.5 mm. Lodicules c. 0.7 mm. Anthers (0.3)–0.4–0.7–(1) mm. Caryopsis 1–1.5 × 0.4–0.7 mm.
[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]