Braamfontein Spruit Ecological Corridor

Natal Grass

Melinis repens

© (c) 潘立傑 LICHIEH_PAN, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 潘立傑 LICHIEH_PAN (CC-BY)

Description - from Wikipedia

Melinis repens is a species of grass known by the common names rose Natal grass, Natal red top, or simply Natal grass. It is native to southern Africa and an introduced species, often considered a noxious weed, on other continents such as North America and Australia. It is an annual or perennial grass, growing up to a meter tall. Its growth rate is dependent on temperature. The inflorescence is an open array of branches bearing spikelets densely coated in silky white or pink. In Chishona, its name is bhurakwacha.
The Mursi people of Ethiopia call this grass imai. It grows along the banks of the Omo River, and gives its name to the star Delta Crucis, whose heliacal setting is used to determine when the Omo will flood and rise high enough to flatten the imai grass.

References
External links
Grass Manual Treatment
Jepson Manual Treatment — invasive plant species in California.
USDA Plants Profile — invasive plant species.
Western Australian Flora — invasive plant species.
Melinis repens in West African plants – A Photo Guide.

Read more here

Species Characteristics

Wildlife supported

Bees Bees
Birds Birds
Butterflies Butterflies

Growth features

Easy to grow Easy to grow

Social features

Attractive Attractive
Medicinal Medicinal
Useful Useful

Aspect

Sun Sun

Plant types

Grass Grass

Spatial classification

Flowering Period
  • Red
Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec

Nursery availability

In stock
In stock
Abrus Horticulture
SEED / 20g - R32.00
In stock

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