It has been brought into other mild northern climates for forage or erosion control, but is often considered a weed.

The stems ('culms') grow to 40–150 centimetres (16–59 in) tall; the leaves are linear, 15–40 centimetres (5.9–15.7 in) long and 3–10 millimetres (0.12–0.39 in) broad at the base of the plant, with leaves higher on the stems 2–8.5 millimetres (0.079–0.335 in) broad.

[4] The seeds are eaten by several species of grassland birds, particularly buntings and finches.

Couch grass has become naturalised throughout much of the world, and is often listed as an invasive weed.

[9][10] Another method is to dig deep into the ground in order to remove as much of the grass as possible.

[citation needed] Elymus repens (Agropyron repens) rhizomes have been used in the traditional Austrian medicine against fever, internally as a tea, syrup, or cold maceration in water, or externally applied as a crude drug.