[2][3] However, it is also a popular garden lawn species in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the southern region of California in the United States, being inexpensive and moderately drought-tolerant.

In addition, it is useful as pasture for livestock grazing and serves as a food source for many avian species, including the long-tailed widowbird.

In southern California in the United States, the grass is commonly used on golf courses since it is drought resistant and creates challenging rough.

The famed Riviera Country Club and Torrey Pines Golf Course both use this grass and host tournaments on the PGA Tour.

[6][8] It has high invasive potential due to its elongate rhizomes and stolons, with which it penetrates the ground, rapidly forming dense mats, and suppressing other plant species.

The plant is easily introduced to new areas on plowing and digging machinery, which may transfer bits of the rhizome in soil clumps.