It grows in moist, sandy spots in many habitat types, including lakes, riverbanks, wet meadows, and springs.

It has a disjunct distribution, in North America (southern United States from California to the Carolinas, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras) and South America (Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay).

[1][2] Eleocharis montevidensis is a rhizomatous perennial herb forming tufts or mats of erect, firm stems up to half a meter tall.

The narrow grasslike leaves are dark purplish or reddish brown at the bases, becoming lighter in color toward the tips, and drying to a thin, papery texture.

[3] Eleocharis montevidensis have often been called either E. montana or E. palmeri in some North American publications.