Tufted perennial; culms robust, 40-180 cm high. Leaf-blades lineal, 6-45 cm long, 3-12 mm wide. Inflorescence composed of (2-)3-5(-11) racemes borne along a common axis 2-20 cm long, each raceme 4-11 cm long, the spikelets paired in 2-4 rows on a rhachis ± 1.2 mm wide. Spikelets ovate, 2.8-3.8 mm long, yellowish green; upper glume as long as the spikelet, sparsely pilose on the surface, ciliate on the margins; lower lemma similar, but not ciliate; upper lemma papillose-striate, pallid at maturity.

Fl. & Fr. Per. August-October.

Type: Argentina, Commerson (P).

Distribution: Pakistan (Sind, Baluchistan; introduced); South America, now established in most tropical countries.

Paspalum dilatatum, variously known as Golden Crown Grass, Dallis Grass or Caterpillar Grass, is a valuable forage grass introduced from South America and now established in Pakistan.

Paspalum urvillei Steud. is another introduced South American weed, which is established in Sri Lanka. Like Paspalum dilatatum it has ciliate spikelets, but there are 2-3mm long and borne on 10-18 racemes.