Cool season, robust annual or short-lived perennial that may develop short rhizomes. Commonly occurs on wet sites such as ponds, swamps, ditch banks, shallow marshes and sloughs. Prefers clay soils; tolerant of saline soils. Shallow-rooted and able to colonize denuded wetland soils, making it excellent for riparian reclamation. Seeds are eaten by migratory birds. Palatable and frequently used for hay or grazing.