Mary E. Barkworth, Julian J.N. Campbell and Bjorn Salomon
Culms 25–65(77) cm, erect. Blades usually puberulent abaxially, sometimes glabrous. Spikes 7–20 cm, usually exserted, usually with 2 spikelets per node. Spikelets with (1)2–4(5) florets, lowermost floret functional. Glume awns 50–125 mm, entire; lemma awns 50–120 mm; paleas rarely with the veins extended as bristles.
Elymus elymoides subsp. brevifolius has a wide ecological and elevation range, extending from the arid Sonoran Desert to subalpine habitats, from 600–3500 m. It extends further south than the other subspecies, into northern Mexico , and is rare in Canada .