Native, cool-season, perennial, loosely tufted, short-lived grass to 100 cm tall. Leaves typically have a half twist and the flag leaf sticks out at a right angle. Leaf sheaths are hairy and auricles are present. Flowerheads are spikes to 25 cm long. Spikelets are 6-12-flowered and not or little overlapping; their sides are against the stem. Lemmas have an awn which is 9-47 mm long and strongly curved when mature. Calluses are distinctly hairy. Flowers from late winter to late summer. A minor component in pastures, it grows on most soil types and is drought and frost tolerant. Native biodiversity. A variable species; plants on good soils produce high quality, palatable green feed in the cooler months, but plants on shallower soils tend to have harsher leaves and produce little feed. Generally only a short lived plant, but can recruit well from seed. Responds positively to fertiliser. Often preferentially grazed, but is avoided after it runs to head. Rotationally graze or provide strategic rests in late spring to aid persistence.
