The specific epithet glomeratus means "bunched", in reference to the species' bushy and broom-like inflorescences.

[3] This grass reaches heights approaching two meters (6 feet) and has large, fluffy cream-colored inflorescences.

The leaves may reach over a meter in length and are typically blue-green in the summer and coppery-red in the fall.

[2] This plant does best in moist soils, and is found naturally in areas such as swamps, wet savannas, pine flatwoods, bogs, and fens.

[6] The seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals, while the larvae of certain butterflies feed on the plant.