Gramineae

Asthenatherum forskahlei Auctt.
Asthenatherum glaucum (Nees) Nevski
Danthonia glauca Nees

Gha grass

Arundinoideae; Danthonieae. There are 4 species of Centropodia, from southern Africa to the Middle East, in xerophytic open habitats.

Endemic to southern Africa, occurring in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

A weakly perennial or annual tufted grass with shrub-like growth form, 200-750 mm tall. Culms are brittle and break easily. Leaf blades to 110 mm long; 8-10 mm wide. Spikelets 7-10 mm long. Lower leaf sheaths are slightly open, loose around the culms and densely hairy. Leaves are blue-green and relatively short (50-80 mm long). Panicle 30-120 mm long; spikelets 3(-4)-flowered, with papery glumes.

A palatable climax grass that is well utilised, in spite of being hard and woody.

Chromosome base number, x = 12

C₄ photosynthetic pathway.

None reported and considered to be non-toxic.

Almost exclusively occurring on sand in savanna, Nama-karoo, succulent karoo and desert. Common at the foot of sand dunes. Decreases in response to severe grazing pressure.

Requires loose, sandy substrates. Grows mainly in deep sandy soil but also in gravely soil.

Not propagated.

Flowers from September to May. Tends to be annual on dunes and perennial in gravel flats between dunes.

None known

Gibbs-Russell, G.E., Watson, L., Koekemoer, M., Smook, L. Barker, N.P., Anderson, H.M., Dallwitz, M.J. 1989. Grasses of southern Africa. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa, No. 58, National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.

Van Wyk, E. & Van Oudtshoorn, F. 1999. Guide to grasses of southern Africa. Briza Publications, Arcadia, South Africa.