The bases of the stems come from a thick, woody rootstock and a system of roots that penetrates up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) deep in the soil.

Habitat types that feature the grass include pinyon-juniper woodland and mesquite, creosote, and grassy shrubsteppe.

It grows on clay with honey mesquite and other species such as burrograss (Scleropogon brevifolius), alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) and sacaton (S. wrightii) and other dropseed grasses (Sporobolus spp.

Tobosa is an important forage for cattle and horses in the American Southwest.

In Texas, it yields 1000 pounds per acre, and this can be increased with careful and deliberate management.

In areas with adequate precipitation, burning is used to remove litter, which then stimulates the stems to produce more green matter.