It is native to Eurasia and it has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including much of the Americas and Australia.

The ribbed leaves have pale green blades a few millimeters wide.

The inflorescence is a spike studded with spikelets up to 3 centimeters long, each containing up to 12 flowers.

[5] This grass is commonly crossed with its relative, wheat, in order to give the wheat traits such as stress tolerance and pest resistance.

The protein product of the Fhb7 gene detoxifies trichothecenes produced by the fungus, which harm both the plant and any mammals that consume them.