Plants annual. Leaves: auricles present; ligules membranous; blades 2-8 cm long, 1.5-4 mm wide, flat, folded, or convolute. Inflorescence a cylindrical spike with 1 spikelet per node, the nodes embedded in the rachis and closely appressed to it; rachis disarticulating below each spikelet at maturity. Spikelets with 1(-2) florets, lanceolate-oblong, unawned, the rachilla produced and bearing a rudimentary floret. Glumes 2 on the terminal spikelet, 1 on all other spikelets, facing the rachis and completely covering the floret; lemma with its back towards the rachis, membranous, 3-veined, the lateral veins very short.
There is only one species in Hainardia, Hainardia persica.It was included in Henrardia in the Flora of Pakistan but research shows that the species involved should be treated as the only species of Hainardia.