It is an erect, waist-high, stout perennial bunch grass, with grayish to bluish green leaves.

P. aquatica is a quick-growing grass which incorporates and utilises soil nitrogen rapidly.

[6] Domesticated cultivation then spread to the United States, Argentina and several other countries in South America, and New Zealand.

The grass can also be cut, providing good quality fodder for grazing livestock for 8 to 12 months a year.

[9] Harding grass is an invasive species in grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, and riparian habitats.