Plants not cespitose, with long, scaly rhizomes. Culms 58-210
cm. Sheaths usually pubescent near the collars; blades 10-39 cm
long, 3.5-9 mm wide, pubescent near the collars. Rames 2-6.5 cm, with
6-14 spikelets, usually partially to fully exserted; internodes pubescent,
hairs to 4.5 mm. Sessile spikelets 5-10 mm; calluses with hairs
to 2.5 mm; awns 6-14 mm. Pedicels 3.5-5 mm, curving out at maturity.
Pedicellate spikelets 0.75-4 mm, sterile, awned, awns 1-3 mm.
Schizachyrium scoparium var. stoloniferum grows in sandy soils
of woodland openings and roadsides from southern Alabama and Georgia south to
the Everglades. Northern populations consist of widely spaced, weak culms growing
in rather bare sand; southern populations consist of dense, vigorous stands
with taller, more robust culms growing primarily along roadsides, possibly spread
by grading equipment. Some clones, particularly in the south, are largely sterile.