This can be quite a tall grass (up to 50 cm) and usually with one sided inflorescence and long awns (spiky hairs at the end of each individual grass grain or spikelet). It is found throughout the British Isles but is commoner in the south and midlands of England than in Scotland. In Ireland it is commonest nearer the coast.

Ranscombe Farm, Kent 3rd June 2007

Added on 2nd April 2009, updated 25th February 2012