Culms 30-100(150) cm. Ligules 0.5-1.5 mm, truncate, ciliate; blades 15-60 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, usually convolute and 0.9-1.5 mm in diameter, glaucous, scabridulous, basal blades deciduous when dead. Panicles 8-20 cm; branches ascending, with 3-7(10) spikelets. Spikelets 10-14 mm, with 3(5) florets, distal florets unawned. Glumes subequal to unequal; lower glumes 7-10 mm; upper glumes 10-12 mm; lowest lemmas 7-12 mm, awns about 15 mm; anthers about 5 mm. 2n = 28, 42.

Helictotrichon sempervirens is a native of the southwestern Alps in Europe, where it grows on rocky soils and in stony pastures. In the Flora region, it is frequently grown as an ornamental species.