Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across North America to the Atlanitc Coast.

Habitat: Disturbed, often wet sites including stream banks and roadsides.

Flowers: May-September

Origin: Introduced from eastern and central Washington

Growth Duration: Annual, Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Annual, branching from the base, the culms somewhat decumbent, up to 1 m. tall.

Sheaths open, usually glabrous; articulation below the glumes; ligules 2-3 mm. long; blades 5-12 mm. broad, usually glabrous.

Inflorescence an open panicle 1.5-3 dm. long, the branches ascending; spikelets 2-flowered, about 2.5 mm. long; first glume oval, less than 1 mm. long; second glume acute, faintly 9-nerved; lower lemma sterile, with a translucent palea 1-1.5 mm. long; hardened, fertile upper lemma and palea enclosed by the second glume and sterile lemma