Plinthanthesis paradoxa

Tufted perennial, culms erect, to 0.8 m high. Leaves glabrous; sheath often purplish; blade usually inrolled or folded, to 50 cm long and c. 1 mm wide; ligule a ciliate rim 0.2–0.5 mm long. Inflorescence a sparse pyramidal panicle to 15 cm long. Spikelets mostly 4-flowered, 5–8 mm long; glumes usually purplish, acute, sub-equal, 4–8 mm long; lemma 2–4 mm long, evenly covered in lower half by minute (0.1–0.2 mm) spreading hairs; awn 0.5–1 mm long, finally obliquely recurved; lateral lobes of lemma membranous, broadly acute, equal to awn; palea oblong; anthers c. 2.5 mm long. Flowers Sep.–Mar.