[2] It is native to tropical areas in the Americas but it can be found in warm regions around the world where it is an introduced species.

This is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing one to several erect stems to heights up to about half a meter, often much shorter.

It produces tiny inflorescences of a few spikelets each which in total are less than a centimeter long.

Pollens are tiny, approximately 20-30 microns in size.

It is sometimes a weed in wet areas such as cultivated land and irrigation ditches.