Spikelets 5-8 mm, with 4-10 florets. Lower glumes 1.6-2.4 mm; upper glumes 1.8-2.5 mm, acute; lemmas 2.4-4 mm. 2n = 60.
Glyceria canadensis var. canadensis grows throughout the range of the species. The spikelets bear some resemblance to those of Bromus briziformis, otherwise known as rattlesnake brome, hence the vernacular name "rattlesnake mannagrass".
From Flora of Indiana (1940) by Charles C. Deam
Infrequent in the lake area where it is found in wet habitats in marshes, ditches, and springy places and about ponds.