Leymus cinereus is a perennial bunchgrass forming large, tough clumps up to about 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet) tall[4] and sometimes exceeding 1 m (3+1⁄2 ft) in diameter.

Leymus cinereus is a common native grass of western North America, including western Canada and the United States from California to Minnesota.

It grows in many types of habitat, including grassland and prairie, forests, scrub, chaparral, and sagebrush.

The Okanagan and Colville used the roots medicinally to treat internal bleeding and gonorrhea and as a hair tonic.

The Cheyenne burned the grass and mixed the ash with blood to make a black dye.