A rhizomatous, perennial herb up to 200 cm tall. Culms glabrous or with a few hairs below the nodes. Leaf sheaths of basal leaves glabrous, leaf blade 30-80 cm x 0.7-2 cm, scabrid, glabrous. Inflorescence a spiciform panicle 25-50 cm long, floret with upper glume 3-4-veined, stamen 1.

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

The decoction of the rhizomes is drunk against diarrhoea caused by indigestion and against gonorrhoea.