Culms (3)10-35 cm. Ligules 2-4 mm; blades 1-3 cm long, 0.8-1.6 mm wide, abaxial surfaces scabrous over the midveins. Spikes (2)4-11 cm long, 1-2.5 mm wide. Spikelets (3)4-7 mm, slightly longer than the adjacent internodes. Lemmas glabrous or scabridulous above and on the keels; awns 2-4 mm, inconspicuous; paleas generally smaller than the lemmas, apices notched. 2n = 26.

Scribneria bolanderi grows between 500-3000 m. It grows in diverse habitats, ranging from dry, sandy or rocky soils to seepages and vernal pools. It is often overlooked because it is relatively inconspicuous. Its range extends south into Baja California, Mexico.