Hemarthria altissima, commonly known as limpo grass or swamp couch grass, is a perennial herb native to wetlands, marshy areas, and along the banks of water bodies in the Old World Tropics and Subtropics, including Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, eastern China, and Borneo. It has been introduced widely as a forage grass in the New World, where it is cultivated from Texas and Florida south to northern Argentina. This grass typically forms dense mats and can reach heights of up to 1 meter. It produces inconspicuous flowers that are less significant compared to its value as forage. Hemarthria altissima is valued for its high nutrient content and palatability to livestock.

In cultivation, limpo grass requires wet or consistently moist soil conditions and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is often used for erosion control due to its dense growth habit and is also planted in wetland restoration projects. However, it can be potentially invasive in some regions outside its native range, so it is important to check local regulations before planting. It is generally resistant to pests and diseases but can be susceptible to rust in humid conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0