The species grows extensively in East Asia such as south east China, Japan and Taiwan preferring ravines, grassy, dry, and sandy areas.

[1] The leaves and stems of the plant are dried and oxidized, much like tea, then processed into a jelly.

The plant extracts of the black variant of grass jelly (Mesona palustris) have been reported to induce anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-diarrhea effects in pre-clinical research, all of which are possible due to the strong antioxidant nature of the extracts.

[citation needed][4] P. palustre is cultivated on flat ground or areas with a slight slope.

The portions are then partially dried and piled up in order to allow them to oxidize until they have darkened.