A leafy upright perennial tussock grass, usually less than 1.0 m tall, to 2 m when in flower. Leaves to >2.5 cm wide, shiny and brittle, even when mature; leaf margins scabrous; leaf hairiness varies with provenance. Seed borne in a simple panicle to 26 cm long comprising up to 20 racemes, the lower ones to 14 cm long. Spikelets about 3 mm long and 2 mm wide. 250,000-450,000 seeds/kg.