V. ciliata was probably under-recorded in the 1962 Atlas. However, several new roadside populations of subsp. ambigua have been found since 1980, suggesting that it may be spreading in some areas (e.g. New Forest, S. Hants.). It was discovered in N. Wales in 1991.
Stems up to 50 cm, erect or ascending, corrugated, smooth. Leaf blades up to 13 cm long and 0.2โ0.5 (-2) mm wide. Panicles or clusters 1โ14 cm, linear-oblong. Spikelets 5โ10 mm, with 1โ3 fertile flowers and 3โ7 upper sterile flowers. It blooms from April to June.