Fowl Manna Grass is a perennial grass is 2-3 1/2 tall. The blooming period occurs from early to mid summer. The preference is full sun to light shade, wet to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Fowl Manna is palatable to cattle, sheep, and horses. It is fairly tall and occasionally forms colonies, it provides some cover for wildlife.

It has a rather ordinary appearance and its spikelets are small. It superficially resembles an oversized bluegrass. Each leaf blade is medium green to grayish blue and slightly rough on the upper surface, while its lower surface is medium green, glabrous, and smooth.