Plants loosely cespitose. Culms to 100 cm. Leaves primarily cauline; blades 2.5-6 mm wide, flat. Panicles with 2-9 branches; branches (4)5-14 cm. 2n = 36.
Chloris canterae var. canterae has been collected in Texas and Louisiana. In South America, it grows on moist soils of the campo in Paraguay, southern Brazil, and northeastern Argentina.