UW Burke Herbarium species comparison

Sheaths open, the collor glabrous to strongly pubescent;

ligules membranous, 3-8 mm. long, usually lacerate;

blades flat, scabrous, 3-8 mm. broad.

Inflorescence an open, diffuse panicle 15-25 cm. long;

spikelets 1-flowered;

glumes usually purplish, 2.5-6 mm. long, pointed, scabrous on the keel;

lemma papery, shorter than the glumes, with a straight awn about the same length attached at midlength or above;

palea shorter than the lemma, the rachilla prolonged behind the palea about 0.2-1.3 mm. and strongly bearded;

callus hairs long and abundant.