UW Burke Herbarium species comparison

Sheaths closed below, but open over half their length;

ligules about 1 mm. long, rounded to truncate;

blades 1-3.5 mm. broad, usually folded, the tip prow-like.

Inflorescence a pyramidal panicle 3-8 cm. long, the branches spreading and somewhat rigid;

spikelets 3- to 6-flowered, 4-6 mm. long;

glumes unequal, the first 1-nerved, about 2 mm. long, the second 3-nerved, much the broader;

florets rather distant, the rachilla visible;

lemmas about 3.5 mm. long, 5-nerved, the margins purplish and papery, usually pubescent along the keel and marginal nerves;

paleas slightly shorter than the lemmas, 2-keeled.