Andropogon barbatus Linnaeus, Mant. Pl. 2: 302. 1771, not Linnaeus (1759); Chloris inflata Link.

Annual or short-lived perennial. Culms loosely tufted, ascending or decumbent at base and rooting at lower nodes, 0.2–1 m tall. Leaf sheaths keeled, glabrous; leaf blades flat or folded, 10–40 cm, 4–8 mm wide, glabrous, apex acute; ligule short, ciliate. Racemes digitate, 5–15, erect or ascending, 3–8 cm, often somewhat flexuous and purplish; rachis scabrous. Spikelets with 3 or 4 florets, 3(–4)-awned; lower glume 1.2–1.5 mm; upper glume 1.7–2.5 mm, shortly mucronate; lemma of fertile floret elliptic in side view, 1.7–2.5 mm, pilose on keel, ciliate on upper margins with 1–1.5 mm hairs; awn 4.5–7 mm; upper florets sterile, lemmas empty, inflated, overlapping to form a knob at side of fertile floret; second lemma turbinate, truncate, 1–1.5 mm, glabrous or sparsely appressed-pilose on back, awn subequaling awn of fertile floret; third (and fourth) lemmas orbicular, awn somewhat shorter. Fl. and fr. Apr–May. 2n = 20, 40.

This is a widespread species from tropical to warm-temperate regions of the world, found in weedy or disturbed places. It is tolerant of high salt concentrations. When young this grass is favored by cattle.

Sea coasts, offshore islands. Guangdong, Taiwan [India, Indonesia, Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Africa, America, Australia, Pacific Islands].