Native of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.
An upright (i.e. erect or ascending) or arching and densely tufted long-lived (i.e. perennial) grass usually growing 15-70 cm tall, but occasionally reaching up to 90 cm in height. Grows in pasture and on road verges, tolerating a range of conditions including dry infertile soils. Mature plants are unpalatable to stock, so the plant can become more common in over-grazed pasture. A weed of remnant grassy native vegetation in farming areas, where it can suppress native groundcover species.
Originally introduced as an ornamental, now widespread and locally common on roadsides and neglected land.