Ehrharta calycina is a very variable perennial, rarely annual, 300-700(-1800) mm high, often rhizomatous.

The leaf blade is up to 7 mm wide, expanded or rolled and filiform (thread-like). The spikelet is 4.0-8.5 mm long; glumes (the bracts at the base of the spikelet) ± equal, shorter than the spikelet; the sterile lemmas are similar in texture, the sides long-hairy; the first sterile lemma is more than 2/3 as long as the second sterile lemma; the second sterile lemma has an acute or truncate apex, commonly with a mucro or minute awn arising abruptly from the central vein, and a pair of ear-like appendages at the base; the anther is 2.8-6.0 mm long.

Flowering time: July to Dec, but mainly in spring.