Growth Habit:  Winter annual, spread by seed only. Erect.

Leaves: Alternate, Simple, auricles present at base of blade. Can be
smooth or hairy and may have occasional hairs extending from margins
of leaf blade.

Stems:  Up to 30” tall, branched at base to give tufted appearance.

Flower:  The spike (seed head) is cylindrical, more than 10 times
as long as it is wide. 2 to 12 spikelets (joints) per spike, ½” long. Spikelets
awned with upper most spikelets having especially long awns. At maturity
spikelets separate and look like wheat stems.

Roots:  Shallow, fibrous.

Seeds:  1 to 3 per spikelet.

Other:  Reduces grain yields and can be a contaminant in winter wheat,
reducing prices.