| Themeda triandra | |
|---|---|
| Themeda triandra in the Adelaide Hills | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Themeda |
| Species: | T. triandra |
| Binomial name | |
| Themeda triandra Forssk. |
|
| Synonyms | |
Themeda triandra is a perennial grass widespread in Africa, Australia, Asia and the Pacific. In Australia it is commonly known as kangaroo grass, in East and South Africa it is known as "red oat grass" or red grass, in Afrikaans, rooigras.
The species has a tuffted habit and can reach up to 1.5 m tall and 0.5 m across. It flowers in summer producing large red-brown spikelets on branched stems.[2]
The young growth is palatable to stock.[3][4]
A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known grain may have potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land use. [5]