Plants rhizomatous, rhizomes relatively short and stout. Panicles primarily terminal; primary branches usually few, stiffly ascending, with short branchlets and crowded, subsecund spikelets on short pedicels. Spikelets 2.7-3.9 mm, often lanceolate, falcate, with prominent green veins, acuminate.
Panicum anceps subsp. anceps is widespread in all physiographic provinces within its range.