This woody grass or bamboo becomes 4-24 inches tall. Primary culms are devoid of leaves below, while above they have ascending leafy branches. Primary culms are green, terete, hollow, glabrous, and up to 1 inches across, becoming increasingly woody below.

Secondary culms from lateral branches are similar to the primary culms, except they are more narrow. Most primary culms remain erect, although sometimes they bend sideways from the weight of their leaves and lateral branches, particularly when there is an absence of support from adjacent vegetation. Alternate evergreen leaves develop toward the apex of the primary culm and along its lateral branches.