Makaloa is a perennial sedge found in or near fresh or salt water. This plant looks like tall grass with several tall slender stems. Each is topped by a small inforescence or tiny white flowers. Stems are clumped together to produce many roots and usually grows best in standing water. Today this plant is used to revegitate wetlands and also as vegetation for constructed treatment wetlands that use plants to reduce suspended solids in effluent water.

In old Hawaii makaloa culms were used to make the finest of woven mats. During that time the culms were grown to lengths of 6-12 feet. The island of Ni'ihau was famous for its mats and they were sought after by ali`i (chiefs). A cloak of makaloa was made and worn as a cape by Kamehameha the Great.