L., Mant. Pl. Altera 183. 1771 Perennial, to ca 3 m tall, sometimes branching; culms stout, glabrous. Sheaths mostly longer than the internodes, glabrous but with villous margins near throat, the old sheaths often persisting on the culms after blades have fallen; blades mostly 25-110 cm long, 5-12 mm wide, glabrous, the margins scabrid. Inflorescences terminal, to ca 25 cm long, bearing very long silky pubescence throughout but especially directly beneath the spikelets; racemes mostly 4-7 cm long; spikelets equal, paired, perfect, 3-4 mm long, one sessile, the other pedicellate; glumes narrowly acute at apex, 1-3-veined, often +/- keeled. Fruits not seen. Croat 11985.