Stout perennial with hard woody base; culms up to 3.5 m high. Leaf-blades up to 60 cm long, 3-20 mm wide, flat or convolute. Panicle 15-40 cm long, the peduncle appressed silky vinous; racemes 2.5-5 cm long, borne directly on the main axis of the panicle or sometimes, in the lower part of the inflorescence, borne along short primary panicle branches, the internodes and pedicels hirsute with long hairs. Spikelets all alike, 2.5-3.5 mm long, the callus bearded with cream or usually reddish silky hairs up to 10 mm long, concealing the spikelets; glumes equal, membranous, shortly ciliate on the margins, the lower also sparsely hairy on the back; lower lemma lanceolate, shortly ciliate on the margins below; upper lemma very narrow, entire, awned at the tip with an awn up to 20 mm or more long.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: July-September.

Type: Nepal, Wallich 8849 (K).

Distribution: Pakistan (N.W.FP. & Kashmir); Northwest Himalayas eastwards to Assam and Burma.

A striking species with a narrow silky cream or reddish panicle.