Leymus triticoides often grows in moist habitat, sometimes with heavy and saline soils.

It forms a solid root system which allows it to grow at water's edge and prevent the soil from eroding.

The stiff, slender green to blue-green leaves stand away from the stems at an obvious angle.

This is a good rangeland grass for grazing, and it is used to stabilize waterways because of its soil-retaining rhizome network.

[2] Leymus triticoides is an important native plant in California chaparral and woodlands habitat restoration projects.