The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Para grass \Pa*ra" grass`\, Par'a grass \Par['a] grass\
   (a) (Bot.) A tall rather coarse grass (Panicum molle
       formerly Panicum barbinode) grown in the tropics for
       pasturage, and introduced into the southern United States
       from Brazilas a valuable pasture grass.
   (b) Piassaba fiber.
       [Webster 1913 Suppl.]