HABIT	STRONG PERENNIAL.
STEMS	1-2 M TALL, TUFTED; SOLID ABOVE, FISTULAR BELOW, POLISHED, SILKY BELOW PANICLES AND MINUTELY SILKY BELOW UPPER LEAF-INSERTIONS.
LEAVES	ERECT, GLAUCOUS, MIDRIB WHITE, MARGINS SCABRID, OFTEN VILLOUS ABOVE BASE, SHEATH LONGER THAN INTERNODE.
FLOWERS	PANICLE CONICAL-OBLONG, WITH 3-15 CM LONG FRAGILE RACEMES, JOINTS AND PEDICELS; BRANCHES ASCENDING, USUALLY REDDISH OR PURPLISH, PRIMARY RACHIS SILKY WITH LONG, WHITE HAIRS.
FRUITS	CARYOPSIS 2 MM LONG, OBLONG.