Rhizome neck 3–7 cm, 0.9–1.5 cm in diam., internodes 3–5 mm. Culms to 6 m, to 1.5 cm in diam.; internodes terete, 25–35 cm, initially sparsely white powdery; wall 1.5–2 mm thick; supra-nodal ridges level; sheath scar prominent. Branches 5–10 per node, deflexed, subequal. Culm sheaths gradually deciduous, narrowly rounded, shorter than internode, leathery, abaxially slightly gray-brown setulose, margins brown ciliolate or not, longitudinal ribs conspicuous; auricles absent; oral setae not persistent; ligule truncate, ca. 1 mm, glabrous, margin fissured; blade readily deciduous, reflexed, rarely erect, linear-lanceolate, articulate with apex of culm sheath. Leaves 1–3 per ultimate branch, readily deciduous; sheath glabrous; auricles and oral setae absent; ligule truncate, glabrous; blade lanceolate, 5–8.5 × 0.4–0.6 cm, glabrous, secondary veins 2-paired, transverse veins obscure, base cuneate, margins serrulate. Inflorescence unknown. New shoots Jul–Aug.

The shoots are edible, and the culms are used for weaving and for brooms.

* 2500–3000 m. SE Xizang.