Poverty Oatgrass is a small, delicate native perennial grass that forms loose tufts of fine, wiry green leaves. It is particularly well adapted to dry, nutrient-poor soils, where many garden plants struggle. Small, inconspicuous flower and seed heads appear in summer. It naturally occurs in dry forests, open woodlands, rocky areas, sandy soils, barrens, and exposed sites.

Poverty Oatgrass prefers very well-drained soil. It is very drought tolerant once established and prefers lean soil. It can forms small clumps and is generally very well behaved. It can be slow to establish from seed.