Cenchrus agrimonioides, a member of the Poaceae (grass) family, is a perennial grass with stems 0.3 to 2 m (1 to 6.7 ft) tall. The leaf blades, 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 in) long and 5 to 25 mm (0.2 to 1 in.) wide, are flat or folded and have a prominent midrib. The inflorescence (flower cluster) is a raceme (an unbranched, indeterminate inflorescence with flowers arranged along the axis) 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) long, bearing cylindrical to lance-shaped burs 8 to 18 mm (0.3 to 0.7 in) long. The burs are densely hairy with an outer series of numerous, somewhat spreading bristles. Each bur partially envelops one spikelet (ultimate flower cluster).