Named for the brushy mature panicle, the "tail" is composed of long awns. There are two subspecies. The photo shows brevifolius, the less frequently encountered. Here it is seen growing on rocks on Mount Fremont.

The leaf blades are wide, but the plants are low and somewhat tufted. This is subspecies brevifolius, growing at the summit of Mount Fremont on the northeast side of the Park.

The spikelets are cylindrical and rotated to face the axis. This is subspecies elymoides.

Subspecies elymoides grows vigorously in a protected area on the summit of Dege Peak. Both subspecies are high elevation plants, with elymoides observed at 8,500 feet.