A robust perennial, 1.5-2.5 m tall, with stems to about 10 mm diameter. loosely to densely tufted, shortly rhizomatous, erect or geniculately ascending, rooting at the lower nodes. Leaves glabrous to hairy, 60-120 cm long, 1-3.5 (rarely -5) cm wide, tapering to fine point. Panicle , 12-45 (-60) cm long, and 12-25 (-30) cm wide, spikelets 2.5-3 (-5) mm long; 900,000 seeds/kg. Leaf blades linear to narrowly lanceolate. Panicle open, oblong or pyramidal, with secondary branches well developed and flexuous. Spikelets oblong, blunt or acute , rounded on the back. Anthers purple