Soft grass reaching 15 to 80 cm in height, leaves flat, the panicle is erect, 5 to 10 cm long, usually with many ovoid-conical tapering spikelets 10 to 25 mm long, usually very hairy on stalks, some of which are shorter than their spikelets, veined.  A very variable grass

The panicle is branched. Each branch bears only one or two rounded spikelets. Each spikelet is longer than its stalk (peduncle) with three or more florets clearly projecting beyond the glumes. The spikelets are awned.

Roadsides, dry grassland, waste ground.

June to August.

Annual.

Common throughout Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.