Desmostachya bipinnata

Desmostachya bipinnata, commonly known in English by the names halfa grass, big cordgrass, and salt reed-grass, is an Old World perennial grass, long known and used in human history. The grass is tall, tufted, leafy, perennial grass, branching from the base, erect from a stout creeping rootstock.(10) Commonly known in Hindi by names Dab, Dhab or Kusha.
Distribution.
"Desmostachya bipinnata" is native to northeast and west tropical, and northern Africa (in Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia); and countries in the Middle East, and temperate and tropical Asia (in Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand).
The species is distributed throughout the India, the studies have made on western region of India, Ahmedabad region, Nehchani region, Jodhpur region & Agra region(10)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature.
Numerous synonyms have been used for Desmostachya bipinnata but there appears to be no confusion as to this as the preferred scientific name. However, on the basis of distinct morphological and reproductive characters, four new subspecies of D. bipinnata have been described by Pandeya and Pandeya (2002); subsp. longispiculata Amita Pandeya, subsp. jodhpurensis Amita Pandeya, subsp. sheelai Amita Pandeya, and subsp. agraensis Amita Pandeya. However, it is uncertain whether these subspecies represent actual genetic differences, as Pandeya and Pandeya (2002) also note the existence of biotypes of D. bipinnata occurring in response to soil and climatic conditions in western India.
4 Subspecies (Types) of "Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn.) Stapf".
DBAHM- "Desmostachya bipinnata" subsp.longispiculata Amita Pandeya 
DBJB- "Desmostachya bipinnata" subsp. jodhpurensis Amita Pandeya 
DBNB- "Desmostachya bipinnata" subsp.sheelai Amita Pandeya 
DBAG- "Desmostachya bipinnata" subsp.agraensis Amita Pandeya 
Uses.
Medicinal.
In folk medicine, "Desmostachya bipinnata" has been used variously to treat dysentery and menorrhagia, and as a diuretic.
Religious.
"Desmostachya bipinnata" has long been used in various traditions (Hindus, Jains and Buddhists) as a very sacred plant. According to early Buddhist accounts, it was the material used by Buddha for his meditation seat when he attained enlightenment. The plant was mentioned in the "Rig Veda" for use in sacred ceremonies and also as a seat for priests and the gods. Kusha grass is specifically recommended by Lord Krishna in the "Bhagavad Gita" as part of the ideal seat for meditation.
Other.
In arid regions, "Desmostachya bipinnata" has been used as fodder for livestock.
Weed information.
In agriculture, "Desmostachya bipinnata" is a weed commonly found in wheat crops.
Notes.
  10. Pandeya A; Pandeya SC, 2002. Environment and population differentiation in Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn.) Stapf in western India.
Tropical Ecology, 43:359-362.