Canada wildrye is native across much of North America, most abundant in the central plains, and grows in woodlands, savannas, dunes, prairies and disturbed ground. It is a perennial bunchgrass that reproduces mainly by self-pollination and forms fungal partnerships in its roots. Seeds feed granivorous birds and the grass is the larval host for the zabulon skipper.
Linnaeus described the species as Elymus canadensis. The grass is used widely in conservation, roadside and grassland seed mixes and to stabilize eroded soil, and a forage cultivar called 'Homestead' was developed for livestock.