Pennisetum purpureum
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- For Asian grass species known as Elephant Grass, see Elephant grass.
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| Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. 1827 |
Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant Grass, Napier Grass or Uganda Grass) is a species of grass native to the tropical grasslands of Africa. It is a tall perennial plant, growing to 2-4.5 m tall (rarely up to 7.5 m), with razor-sharp leaves 30-120 cm long and 1-5 cm broad.
It has a very high productivity, both as a forage grass for livestock and as a biofuel crop. The name Elephant grass derives from it being a favourite food of elephants.
It can be killed with a light layer of frost but is usually harvested before winter so it can be burnt in power plants.
It has been proposed as a countermeasure to the corn borer in North America, since it attracts and traps the pest.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Dr. Ricarda Steinbrecher, testimony to Agriculture and Forestry Committee of Senate of Canada, 5 December 2006
- FAO Animal Feed Resources Information System: Pennisetum purpureum
- FAO: Pennisetum purpureum
- Tropical Forages: Pennisetum purpureum
[edit] External links
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Information related to Pennisetum purpureum from Wikispecies.
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