Warm season, drought tolerant, perennial bunchgrass adapted to various soil textures. Tolerant of alkaline and saline soils; also seasonal flooding. Found in semidesert grasslands, shrublands and wetland communities on rocky slopes, plateaus, mesas and floodplains at 2000-7000 ft. elevation. Often in pure stands of 3-8 ft. in height; excellent for trapping wind erosion. Valuable forage and cover for wildlife.