Melinis repens is a grass that grows tufts of erect culms and bright green leaf blades.The blades become up to 11 mm wide. There is a clearly visible main vein that may be hairy or smooth.

The young inflorescence is pink, then fades into white as in the picture. It is a palatable grass and a pioneer of disturbed land (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Van Oudtshoorn, et al, 1991).