Loosely tufted, robust annual, often assuming a perennial appearance, 15-100 cm high. Leaf-blades usually flat, frequently involute, 1-7(-10) mm wide, up to 25 cm long, finely attenuate at the tip. Inflorescence a contracted or spike-like panicle 3-20 cm long. Spikelets 3-flowered; lower glume 2.8-4 (-5.1) mm long, 5-7-nerved; upper glume 3.2-5.5 (-6.8) mm long, 3-nerved; fertile lemma, including awns, 3-7 mm long; uppermost floret 0.5-2(3) mm long; anthers 0.8-1.8 (-2.3) mm long.

Type: South Africa, Lichtenstein (B).

Distribution: Pakistan (Punjab); Sudan southwards to South Africa; through Arabia to India; Ascension Island.

McDonell’s specimen is the only known Pakistan representative of this species. It was misidentified as Pappophorum elegans (=Enneapogon schimperanus) and cited as Enneapogon elegans in Sultan & Stewart, Grasses W. Pak. 2:158. 1959.