Lower sheaths shorter or longer than the internodes, glabrous. Glumes 6-7 mm, equal or the lower glumes slightly longer; central awns 13-20 mm, about twice as thick as the lateral awns, divaricate to reflexed at maturity; lateral awns 8-13 mm, erect to ascending.

Aristida purpurascens var. virgata grows in wet or moist areas such as seepage bogs, sandy pinelands, and wet prairies of the southeastern United States.