It is native to the western United States from Oregon and California east to Nebraska and Kansas.

The species is dioecious, with male and female parts on separate plants.

[3][4][5] This grass can be found in many habitat types, including forests, woodlands, shrublands, sagebrush, prairie, and grassland.

In Wyoming it is dominant alongside Idaho fescue, and in Colorado it is a main understory species in Ponderosa pine communities.

[3] This grass is considered to be palatable and nutritious for livestock,[3] but it is rarely abundant enough to be a main food source for them.