Spikelets 2.5-3.8 mm. Lower glumes 0.9-1.6 mm; upper glumes 2.8-3.8 mm; lower lemmas unawned or awned, awns to 10 mm; anthers 0.4-0.7 mm.
Echinochloa muricata var. microstachya is the common variety in the western part of North America, extending east to the Missouri River and the Texas panhandle.