Urochloa, commonly known as signalgrass,[4][5][6][7] is a genus of plants in the grass family, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Eurasia, Africa, Australia, the Americas, and various islands.

[12] A phylogenetic analysis concluded that species of the former genus Brachiaria formed a monophyletic group with those of Urochloa, along with the genera Eriochloa and Melinis, and that further molecular and morphological work is needed to establish clear relationships.

[14] Urochloa species can grow in many environments, from swamps to shady forest to semidesert, but generally do best in savannas and other open tropical ecosystems such as in East Africa.

In Northern Australia, the exotic Urochloa eminii competes with the native tree Alphitonia petriei by inhibiting the growth of seedlings, slowing the conversion of abandoned pastureland to natural forest.

[21] In the Paragominas area of Brazil, however, native forest outcompetes cultivated stands of Urochloa and other exotic forage grasses, and ranchers struggle to maintain pasture cover.

[23] Mexico has put effort into improving its trade in Urochloa cultivars, and the grass is thought to have made a positive impact on its milk and beef industries.