Japan Flora: Low tufted perennial; culms 15-30 cm. long, erect, usually densely pubescent in upper part; leaf-blades soft, flat, 3-10 cm. long, 2-5 mm. wide, usually densely white-villous; ligules 1-2 mm. long; panicles cylindric, spikelike, 3-10 cm. long, 7-15 mm. wide, the branches short, white-pubescent; spikelets 2- to 3-flowered, pale yellowish green, sometimes somewhat purple-tinged, 5-6 mm. long; glumes unequal, acuminate, the first 3-4 mm., the second 4-5 mm. long; lem­mas 4-5 mm. long, obscurely 5-nerved, very acute, the awn arising slightly below the up, exserted, geniculate, 4-7 mm. long; ovary glabrous. July-Aug. Grassy places in alpine regions; Hokkaido, Honshu (centr. distr.); very rare. Cooler regions and at high elevations in the Tropics

var. kitadakense (Honda) Ohwi.  Glabrescent, only spar­ingly pilose on axis of panicles and pedicels. Honshu (Mounts Kitadake and Senjo in Kai)