Perennial. Stems 25–60 cm. Leaves: lower blades and sheaths usually hairless, blades flat to folded, 1–3 mm wide. Inflorescence erect, 2–6 cm long; the inflorescence rachis disarticulating. Spikelets: the 2 laterals sterile, the pedicel 0.5–1 mm long; glumes awn-like, 7–15 mm long (rarely to 30 mm). Lemmas: fertile lemma 7–8 mm long (Lavin in
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).