Coix lacryma-jobi is an annual grass that is commonly grown for food, medical and ornamental uses. The grains also are used for beverages (tea and alcoholic). Due to their appearance, the seeds are used as beads for jewelry, rosaries and other decorative objects. The species has become invasive, forming dense clumps that block the flow of waterways in Singapore, Australia, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, the Galapagos, Greece Hawaii, French Polynesia, Mexico, Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Jamaica and on many islands in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Similar to other grasses, C. lacryma-jobi is wind pollinated. Self- and cross- pollination can occur. Natural dispersal occurs via involucres containing the fruit, which are carried by water.

The genome consists of 10 chromosomes (2n = 20) and has an estimated size of 1.56 Gb.