Coarse-textured warm season prostrate perennial that spreads by long woody stolons. Stems branched, flattened, with alternating long and short internodes so that the leaves appear opposite. Leaf folded in bud. Leaf blade tough, brittle, strongly folded, to about 8 mm wide. Ligule with hairy rims (0.3 mm long). Sheath flattened, sometimes sparsely hairy on edges. Inflorescence 5-10 cm long with spikelets sunk into hollows on one side of the fleshy flat axis. Spikelet mostly solitary or paired, 4-5 mm long, pressed to the axis. White thread-like styles are produced from the flowers in summer.

North America, Africa

Mostly used as a pasture and hard-wearing, coarse, lawn grass for warmer climates.

var. variegatum Leaves creamy white striped. Often grown as a basket plant.

Source: Spencer, R.; Aldous, D.; Stajsic, V.; McGeary, D (2005). Poaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.