Richardson needlegrass is a native, perennial, cool-season bunchgrass.
Culms are glabrous or slightly hairy.
Richardson needlegrass reproduces sexually. Strong winds may transport seeds a considerable distance, especially when awns are twisted together in clumps. Soil textures vary from fine sandy loam to clayey loam. It occurs in the rough fescue prairie association, a climax community type. However, the equilibrium between prairie and associated forest vegetation is not always clear.