This native annual is widespread in cool temperate and boreal regions of North America, and it sometimes adventive in southeastern states. It was first recorded from Ky. in the 1930s (B). Compared to pusillum (Y, FNA 24), jubatum is generally more robust, with distinctively arching to nodding inflorescences (versus erect) and much longer, outcurving awns (those of lemmas 10-70 mm versus 4-8 mm); 2n = 14, 28 and 42 (versus only 14).