Paul M. Peterson, Stephan L. Hatch and Alan S. Weakley

Plants not rhizomatous. Culms stout, 2-5 mm thick. Uppermost sheaths usually 2.6-6 mm wide. Panicles with 30-90 spikelets per cm² when pressed. Fruits 1-1.8 mm.

Sporobolus compositus var. compositus is the most widespread of the three varieties, being found throughout most of the range shown for the species, but not in South Carolina or Florida.