Themeda triandra
| Themeda triandra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 eastern and South Africa it is known as red grass and red oat grass, rooigras in Afrikaans.
Habit
The species has a tufted habit and can reach up to 1.5 metres tall and half a metre across. It flowers in summer, producing large red-brown spikelets on branched stems.[2]
Uses
The young growth is palatable to stock.[3][4] T. triandra seed has been used as a famine food in Africa.[5] It also serves as a food source for several avian species, including the Long-tailed Widowbird.
Gallery
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Spikelet in South Africa
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A botanical garden specimen
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At Camperdown Cemetery, Sydney
References
- ↑ "Triandra australis". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ↑ Australian National Botanic Garden. Themeda triandra.
- ↑ Burbidge, N. T. Australian Grasses. Angus and Robertson Publishers. 1966.
- ↑ "Animal Feed Resources Information System". FAO.org.
- ↑ National Research Council (1996-02-14). "Wild Grains". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume I: Grains. Lost Crops of Africa 1. National Academies Press. p. 271. ISBN 978-0-309-04990-0. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Themeda triandra. |
- Themeda triandra. PlantzAfrica.