[3] It is known elsewhere as an introduced, and often invasive, species, including in Australia, New Zealand, many Pacific Islands,[4] and the Americas.

[3] This species is a perennial grass with stems growing up to two[5] or three[6] meters long from a knotty rhizome.

[9] A folk belief in Taiwan holds that the number of latitudinal creases on the leaf predicts the number of typhoons that will hit the area in the coming or current typhoon season.

[4] The grass is robust and spreads via rhizome and seed banks, forming monotypic stands.

[4] The rampant feral pigs of Hawaii facilitate its spread there by uprooting the surrounding plants while feeding on its thick stems.