Taeniatherum caput-medusa is a winter annual grass in the poaceae family that flowers in May and June.

Inflorescence is a spike with very long awns making it nearly as wide as it is long. Each spikelet has minute barbs and 4-inch twisted awns at maturity.

 

Leaf blades are 1/8 inch wide, rolled, and slightly hairy.

Bristly seed heads persist through winter.