Perennial bunchgrass. Stems loosely bunched, 60–100 cm. Leaves: blades 4–10 mm wide, flat. Inflorescence an open panicle with drooping branches, 8–25 cm long. Spikelets 7–10 mm long with 3 to 5 florets. Lemmas with an awn 5–15 mm long (Lavin in
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).