This alien is widespread across temperate regions of North America, like the closely related cilianensis, but it is less common in general (FNA 25, K). Immature colls. of minor can be difficult to distinguish. Compared to cilianensis, minor generally has smaller spikelet dimensions, with lemmas 1.4-1.8 mm long (versus 2-2.8 mm) that usually lack glands on keels (versus bearing 1-3 glands). Florets have 2 reddish-brown anthers (versus 3 yellow ones); and they disarticulate below lemmas (versus below paleas). Vincent (2004b) noted that occasional "phyllody" occurs in spikelets of minor, forming vegetative shoots instead of fertile flowers. Reportedly, 2n = 40 or 80 (versus 20 or 40); see Cr and FNA 25.