Culms 2-35 cm, erect to decumbent, smooth, glabrous, branching at any node. Sheaths of upper leaves strongly inflated, margins expanded, enclosing the lowest spikelets; ligules to 1.5 mm; blades to 1-3(10) cm long, 1-3 mm wide, adaxial surfaces scabrid. Spikes 1-15 cm, solitary, curved and twisted, rigid, with 2-20 spikelets. Spikelets 4.5-7.5 mm, generally slightly longer than the internodes, more or less cleistogamous. Glumes lanceolate, acuminate, keels rarely slightly winged; anthers 0.5-1.3 mm. 2n = 32, 36, 38, 42.
Parapholis incurva is established at various locations on the coasts of the contiguous United States. It grows in both poorly drained and well drained disturbed soils at and above the high tide mark. It tends to grow in more saline soils, and at lower elevations with respect to the tide, than P. strigosa.