Desmostachya bipinnata
[4] 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).[5] In agriculture, Desmostachya bipinnata is a weed commonly found in wheat crops.The four subspecies proposed are: Desmostachya bipinnata -- darbha (दर्भः) or kuśa (कुशः) in Sanskrit -- 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.[8] Kusha grass is specifically recommended by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita as part of the ideal seat for meditation.