Culms 40-120 cm, branching at the upper nodes, glaucous. Ligules 1-2 mm; blades 10-20 cm long, 1.5-5 mm wide. Rames 4-10(12) cm; internodes scabrous, glabrous or hirsute. Sessile spikelets 5-9 mm; lower glumes sparsely to densely hirsute on the back; awns 15-25 mm. Pedicels arcuate at maturity, ciliate on both edges distally. Pedicellate spikelets 3-5 mm, staminate or sterile, awns 0.3-5 mm. 2n = 40, 60, 70, 100.

In the Flora region, Schizachyrium sanguineum var. hirtiflorum grows on rocky slopes and well-drained soils from Arizona to southwestern Texas and Florida, and is considered a good forage species. Its range extends through Central America to Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.