It is native to much of Africa and Eurasia, and it is known on other continents as an introduced species.

[1][2] In South Africa, where it is native, it is very common and one of the most widely used thatching grasses.

[3] This is a perennial grass forming clumps 30 centimetres to one metre tall with tough, dense bases sprouting from rhizomes.

The inflorescence atop the wiry stem is a panicle of hairy spikelets with bent awns up to 3.5 centimetres long.

The grass can grow in a variety of habitat types, in dry conditions, heavy, rocky, eroded soils, and disturbed areas.