Mary E. Barkworth, Julian J.N. Campbell and Bjorn Salomon
Culms 10–20 cm, erect. Blades glabrous or puberulent abaxially. Spikes 3–6 cm, exserted or partly included, with 3 spikelets per node. Spikelets in the central position usually with 2 fertile florets, the lateral spikelets usually with rudimentary to awnlike florets. Glume awns 15–50 mm, usually entire; lemma awns of the fertile florets 15–30 mm; paleas with or without distinct bristles.
Elymus elymoides subsp. hordeoides grows in dry, rocky, often shallow soils, particularly in Artemisia rigida–Poa secunda communities, from eastern Washington and Idaho to northernCalifornia and Nevada. It resembles some Elymus–Hordeum hybrids.