Typically hairy on the sheath and the base of the leaves. Leaves are wide at base and taper. Culm has bulbous red-purple knob at nodes. This is a tall grass. Stalk is somewhat flattened.
Inflorescence is in threes or multiples of three.
Similar species is Schizachyrium scoparium . Distinguished from Schizachyrium scoparium by broader, longer leaves and taller, thicker stalk. Andropogon gerardi has more hair and is not as flat as Schizachyrium scoparium . D. Found in E120, E123, and E141.