This grass, native throughout the western states, is the most robust of the native rye grasses, reaching to 10 feet. It is a perennial bunchgrass, forming large clumps. Leaves are large, up to 2 feet long and 0.75 inch wide. It grows abundantly on wet and saline soils, but also occurs on moderately dry soils.
Giant rye is suitable for grazing while succulent.
The ripened clumps provide winter sustenance feed for cattle and horses. Propagation is by seed.