Pedicels 2.8–6.5 mm, usually 1–3 times as long as the spikelets, abruptly thickened at the apices. Spikelets1.3–2.6 mm, spreading, divergent from the secondary branches, silvery-green. Glumes equal to subequal, 1.3–2.6 mm, 1–3-veined, subobtuse, usually denticulate, often mucronate; lowerlemmas 1.3–1.9 mm, usually unawned; upperlemmas 1.3–2 mm, apices bifid, awned, awns 1.8–2.5 mm, geniculate; paleas 0.9–1.4 mm; anthers 0.2–0.4 mm, yellow or purple. Caryopses about 1 mm long, 0.3–0.4 mm wide, glabrous.
Aira caryophyllea var. cupaniana is native to southern Europe and northern Africa, growing in mesic, open habitats in disturbed areas or open woodland. It was discovered in a prescribed burn area of Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, California, in 1995, but was not relocated in 1999.