This Mediterranean weed is widely scattered in North America, but it does not seem to be established in Ky. There are only three known colls. of this species from the state, made during 1916-43 (all at KY-Agr.). It is easily confused with perenne (FNA 20, W), but differs in its annual life-cycle (versus perennial), longer glumes (usually 15-25 mm versus 4-12 mm) that exceed lemmas (versus shorter), and larger seeds (1-3 mm wide versus 0.7-1.5 mm).