Echinochloa stagnina P.Beauv.

Perennial and rarely annual 800-1 500 mm high; hydrophyte; rhizomatous and stoloniferous. Leaf blade 100-450 x 4-15 mm; ligule a fringe of hairs, often absent in upper leaves. Inflorescence open, 80-250 mm long, ovate to narrowly lanceolate, of spike-like racemes; raceme 20-80 mm long, not neatly 4-rowed, branches clearly secund. Spikelet 4-6 x 1.0-1.8 mm, narrowly ovate; glumes and lower lemma minutely hispid on surface, nerves with long, rigid, sometimes tubercle-based hairs; lower floret male or sterile; lower lemma with awn (1-)3-20(-50) mm long; upper lemma 3-5 mm long; anther 1.8-2.9 mm long.

It is a tropical plant. It occurs as floating masses in several river basins. It grows in seasonally waterlogged and alkaline soils. It grows in wetlands. It grows between 1,000-2,100 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sahel.

The succulent submerged stems are rich in sugar. This can be used for sugar or liquor. The sugary extract is used for making vinegar and a cider like drink. It is used in kreb a grain mixture eaten in Chad.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings.