It is native to the western United States[1] and northern and central Mexico.

[6] This species is a perennial bunchgrass with thick stems that can reach 2.5 metres tall.

In this kind of habitat it is an important species for preventing erosion and slowing runoff by trapping sediments.

This type of grassland has been reduced to a fraction of its pristine range by forces such as overgrazing and the channelization of water.

[3] This grass provides a good forage for livestock, producing large amounts of green matter.