| DESCRIPTION: A shortly rhizomatous, erect, tussocky grass, with fine to robust, branching culms up to 1.2 m high. Leaf-blades up to 40 cm long and 13 mm wide and green. USE: Very palatable. Used as grazed pasture, it withstands heavy grazing when established but should be grazed lightly for the first six months down to 7.5 cm. Larger types are suitable for cut-and-carry. Makes good hay and silage. Stoloniferous types are ideal for erosion control. GROWING PERIOD: Summer-growing perennial. COMMON NAMES: Makarikari grass. FURTHER INF: It is native of East, Central and South Africa, now cultivated and naturalised elsewhere, including southern USA. Native to areas with an annual rainfall of 600-1200 mm and cultivated in areas with 500-2000 mm. Occurs between 30°N to 33°S, at elevations from sea level to 2000 m, with average annual temperature of 18-26°C. Found on sandy or clay soils in river beds, drainage courses, around pans or in depressions. Mainly on seasonally waterlogged soils. Yields of 8-23 (commonly about 12) t/ha DM have been recorded. |