Agrostis canina is a perennial plant, with stolons but no rhizomes, and culms which grow to a height of up to 75 centimetres (30 in).

[4] It is frequently confused with Agrostis vinealis (formerly treated as a subspecies or variety of A. canina), which grows in more upland habitats and has rhizomes rather than stolons.

[3] The range of Agrostis canina covers most of Europe and temperate parts of Asia, and extends from sea level to the alpine zone.

[6] It has also been introduced to eastern North America, Hawaiʻi, Algeria and the Kerguelen Islands.

[1] Agrostis canina is sensitive to drought,[6] but is common in damp places, including ditches and lake margins.