Inflorescences erect, the branches relatively straight, their bases thickened on all sides and with a ring of hairs. Spikelets with the stalks 3–20 mm long, mostly spreading from the inflorescence branches. August–September.

Uncommon in the Ozark and Ozark Border Divisions (southeastern U.S. west to Missouri and Texas). Openings of mesic to dry upland forests.

Steyermark (1963) reported this variety (as T. chapmanii) based on a single historical collection from Shannon County, but it occurs sporadically over a large portion of southern Missouri. Unlike var. flavus, var. chapmanii appears confined to woodland habitats.