It is known in North America as an introduced species, where it is sometimes an invasive and troublesome noxious weed.

Tripidium ravennae is now established as an invasive species in several parts of North America, including Glen Canyon National Recreation Area[3] in Utah, the Rio Grande Valley State Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico,[4] and parts of California.

[5] It grows in the moist soil of riparian habitats including marshes and riverbanks.

This perennial grass grows in large, dense clumps from a network of rhizomes.

The inflorescence is a plume-like panicle of spikelets covered in white or pale-colored silky hairs.