The genus is named after the ancient Greek tale the "Odyssey", in allusion to the long journey the type species has taken through nine genera before settling in this one.

This grass is a perennial plant with long, stout, rhizomes that penetrate deeply into the ground.

The ligules are formed from rings of hairs and the leaves are rolled, stiff and tough, and somewhat pungent.

[3][4] Odyssea paucinervis is native to Zaire, Somalia, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Cape Province, Namibia, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

The plant has a very deep root system and grows by means of extensive rhizomes.