[2] Festuca brachyphylla is a bright green perennial grass that is tufted or loosely cespitose and erect, growing without rhizomes.

The culms are glabrous and somewhat scabrous, becoming more puberulent towards the inflorescence, and are occasionally tinged purple at their base.

The smooth or scabrous leaf sheaths are closed for half of their length.

The inflorescences are typically cylindrical or ovoid panicles that are 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long, though they can occasionally be racemes.

[4] Festuca brachyphylla is circumpolar and alpine, occurring in North America throughout Canada and along the Rocky Mountains, growing as far south as New Mexico and California.

[7] Festuca brachyphylla grows in rocky places at high altitudes, from 2,800–4,300 m (9,200–14,100 ft).