The inflorescence is a loose panicle of branches bearing small spikelets 2 to 3 mm (0.079 to 0.118 in) long.

It was introduced to the United States in seed for forage grasses and probably in ballast water from ships.

It was also imported by the United States Department of Agriculture to grow as a forage grass for cattle.

[3] The plant is established in sandy coastal habitat on the United States' Gulf Coast, such as beaches and dunes, from Florida to Texas, where it occurs with beach plants such as turtleweed (Batis maritima), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), marsh fimbry (Fimbristylis castanea), largeleaf pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis), and dwarf saltwort (Salicornia bigelovii).

It also invades drier habitat, such as coastal pine forests and white sand scrub.

[9] The grass can grow in a variety of habitats, but it does not tolerate cold and it is rarely found above subtropical latitudes or at altitude.

The plant survives and sprouts after herbicide application, grazing, cutting, plowing or disking, and burning.

[6] It has been noted to reproduce by seed in Portugal,[9] but does not do so in the United States,[10] and it was described as "incapable of fruiting" in Japan.

[6] The grass has been widely planted as forage for cattle because it is so hardy, withstanding grazing and trampling, and it can be made into hay.