Plants oblong to pyramidal in the upper portion. Culms 60-160 cm; internodes not glaucous. Sheaths (2)2.5-3.4(4.7) mm wide, scabrous; ligules sometimes ciliate, cilia to 0.3 mm; blades green, usually scabrous. Subtending sheaths of inflorescence units usually 2.5-3.4 mm wide; peduncles (4)11-35(60) mm; rames usually 2.1-2.9 cm, exserted. Keels of lower glumes usually smooth below midlength, scabrous distally; anthers eventually deciduous.

Andropogon glomeratus var. glomeratus grows in bogs, swamps, savannahs, flatwoods, and ditches of the southeastern United States.