This perennial grass can reach heights of 2 m. It forms dense monotypic stands by layering from trailing stems. It will overgrow most shrubs and trees in its habitat.
Man is the principal dispersal agent.
Fire is rare in its habitat but the dense stands rapidly regenerate from any damage that they suffer. It has not been evaluated for biological control because it is a valued pasture grass in lowland areas. The species grows in wet habitats between sea level and 700 m. Open marshy areas, such as Kawainui Swamp, O'ahu, are the principal habitat.