Plants annual. Culms 50-200 cm; nodes pubescent. Sheaths with ciliate margins distally; ligules about 1 mm, ciliate; blades 10-25 mm wide, plicate, both surfaces scabrous, adaxial surfaces with parallel rows of papillose-based hairs. Panicles to 20 cm, open; branches 2-4 cm, axes villous; bristles solitary, usually only present below the terminal spikelet on each branch, occasionally below non-terminal spikelets, 5-8 mm, flexible. Spikelets 2.5-3 mm. Lower glumes about 1 mm, orbicular, 3-5-veined; upper glumes about 2 mm, ovate, 7-veined; lower lemmas about 2.5 mm, slightly coriaceous, acute; lower paleas about equaling the lower lemmas in length and width; upper lemmas about 2.3 mm, strongly transversely rugose; upper paleas enclosed. 2n = 54, 56.

Setaria barbata is an African species that was apparently introduced to the Western Hemisphere from Asia. It is now common throughout the West Indies, but rare in the Flora region.