Growth Habit:  Winter annual grass, erect to 24 inches.

Leaves:  Leaf blades to 1/8 inch wide, rolled more or less, slightly hairy.

Stems:  Jointed, slightly hairy.

Inflorescences:  A long awned-spike, nearly as wide as long, flowers in
May and June. Bristly nead persistent through winter after individual florets fall.

Roots: 

Spikelet:  Stiff, minutely barbed, twisted awns to 4 inches at maturity.

Seeds:  Awned, grass-like.

Other:  Not as hairy as downy brome.