Panicum coloratum

Coloured Guinea grass, small buffalo grass

Tufted perennial up to 120 cm high that grows in areas with annual summer rainfall of 500-900 mm. Found mostly on heavy soils with impeded drainage. Palatable.

The very drought-resistant and palatable Makarikariense variety is selected for areas with 400-700 mm rainfall and fertile clay soils. It is valued as a high-yielding pasture grass that can withstand prolonged flooding.

							As % of dry matter
						DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ref
Fresh, heading, Ethiopia							17.1	25.4	15.6	1.9	40.0	527
Fresh, early bloom, Kenya							18.9	28.6	11.0	2.6	38.9	130
Fresh, in bloom, Ethiopia							11.5	27.5	12.4	2.2	46.4	527
Hay, South Africa							9.0	36.7	7.9	2.8	43.6	489
							Digestibility (%)
					Animal		CP	CF	EE	NFE	ME	Ref
Hay					Oxen		59.0	62.1	33.8	68.0	2.20	489