It is commonly found in cultivated fields and waste places, but it can spread into sod production fields. Normally it will grow to 1 to 2 feet though it can survive mowing at lawn heights. Stinkgrass produces a seedhead during late August. Plants produce multiple tillers from the crown. The stems are jointed with slightly swollen nodes, occasionally with a 45 degree bend.
Plants have a short, fibrous root system.
To identify stinkgrass, look at the ligule, the sheath, and the back of the blade where it attaches to the collar. The ligule is a short fringe of hairs, with several long hairs at the outer edges. The edges of the leaf sheath are smooth, although small fine hairs may be present on the upper portion of the sheath. Two small nipple-like projections appear on the back of the leaf blade on either side of the collar. The leaves are rolled and the blades are smooth, without hairs.