Plants densely cespitose. Culms usually 15-35 cm, usually pubescent, at least on the lower internodes; nodes sometimes bearded, usually yellowish; lower internodes puberulent to appressed-pilose. Cauline blades usually 4-6 cm. Primary panicles usually open, branches spreading to ascending, not appearing 1-sided. Spikelets 1.7-2.3 mm, obovoid, blunt.

Dichanthelium aciculare subsp. aciculare is common in sterile, open sands on the coastal plain.