Biomimetic methods of achieving production of silver nanoparticles have been developed in the present study under benign conditions of normal temperature and pressure. The methods are distinguished by the fact that they need very low energy inputs and generate no hazardous waste. Moreover,this method is based on the utilization of arid ‘weed’, which have no competing use. Hence the method developed opens an avenue for gainful utilization of this arid weed. The synthesis involves reacting metal stock solution with the plant extract in different stoichiometric ratio. By employing different proportions of metal solution and plant extracts, nanoparticles of unique shapes and sizes can be fabricated. Nanoparticles synthesized were spherical plate like structure and size ranging 40-50nm. The plant extracts serve as reducing-cum-stabilizing agents. Yet another mentionable aspect of the present work is that the synthesized nanoparticles has significant antioxidant potential and antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic microbial strains. In summary, the distinguishing feature of the present work is that it enables the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by facile, non-hazardous, energy-frugal, and inexpensive methods; while gainfully utilizing the arid weed Saccharum munja (Roxb.).