Florets 2-9 per spikelet. Lemmas 6-12 mm long, pointed or with an awn to 10 mm long. Disturbed places, cultivated fields, mountain meadows. Grows on most soil types, including acidic, alkaline, and saline soils. Rhizomes tolerate considerable desiccation.
New rhizomes grow primarily in summer.
New tillers develop spring and fall. Seed disperses near the parent plant, does not require an afterripening period. Seed germinates in early spring. Fluctuating temperatures stimulate germination, and light is not required. Seed can remain viable up to 4 years under field conditions.