Sprawling grass, with long decumbent culms finally ascending to a little more than a metre in height.; pubescence of nodes, sheaths and blades variable; racemes 4-7 (or more), about 8cm long, spreading; rachis joints and pedicels trigonous, the angle scabrous or short-ciliate, about 4mm long, bowed equally away from each other; fertile lemma of sessile spikelet bearing a twisted geniculate awn, (Henty, 1969, in PIER, 2002). Tends to be gregarious, (Henty, 1969).

Although this is a native grass, it is very abundant along roadsides and in disturbed areas. It is particularly aggressive on Pohnpei. (PIER, 2002)

In New Guinea the Asaro people were reported to plant paddle grass to control soil movement on slopes, (Henty, 1969).

In New Guinea Ischaemum polystachyum grows on roadsides. It is also present in garden clearings and grasslands from sea level to 2,000m, (Henty, 1969, in PIER, 2002). In New Guinea, in the Eastern highlands, it forms dense stands in wet gullies, (Henty, 1969).

Reproduction occurs by seed. (PIER, 2002). Culms also root at nodes. Vegetative reproduction is probably also important (Waterhouse, pers. comm, 2003)

Introduced to Pohnpei, Micronesia as cattle fodder. (College of Micronesia, 1999)Introduced sometimes with translocation of produce.Introduced sometimes with translocation of livestock.Introduced sometimes with translocation of machinery.

Forms dense swards, which tend to exclude other species. (Waterhouse, pers.comm. 16 March 2003)

Preventative measures: A Risk assessment of \r\r\nIschaemum polystachyum for the Pacific region was prepared by Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) \r\r\nusing the Australian risk assessment system (Pheloung, 1995). The result is a score of 20 and a recommendation of: reject the plant for import (Australia) or \r\r\nspecies likely to be a pest (Pacific).