Perennial bunchgrass, occasionally a winter annual. Stems 20–60 cm. Leaves: blades 2–5 mm broad. Inflorescence a cylindrical panicle 2–6 cm long, 4–5 mm in diameter. Spikelets 1.9–2.1 mm long, glumes silky along the veins. Lemmas awnless or awn extending up to 1 mm beyond lemma tip, arising from or just below the middle of the lemma (Lavin in
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Stagnant water, stream sides and flood banks, and wet meadows at most elevations (Lavin in
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).