It was introduced to tropical Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands during the colonial period.

It is particularly abundant in the Philippines from where the English common name "carabao grass" originates (named after the carabao, the local water buffalo breed); and in Hawaii where it is known as "hilo grass".

The culms are branching and slightly compressed dorsoventrally, they are usually reddish to purplish in color.

The leaf sheaths are strongly flattened, usually 30 to 50 mm (1.2 to 2.0 in) long and hairy around the nodes.

[5] Paspalum conjugatum grow from sea level to around 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in altitude.