Locally common along margin of ephemeral wetland, and on occasion found floating within standing water (up to 1 metre deep). Flaccid to weakly tufted, stoloniferous, semi-aquatic grass. Culms decumbent, rooting at lower nodes, erect or floating above. Panicle erect, initially enclosed below by uppermost leaf-sheath, at fruiting often expanding entirely above leaves; branches and pedicels scabrid. Spikelets 3-6-flowered, pale green; awn 7-18 mm, straight, arising from lemma midpoint.