Gramineae
Purple finger grass
Panicoideae; Panicodae; Paniceae.
Endemic to southern Africa and occurs in open, sourveld grassland mainly on stony soil. In may occur in the savanna or grassland biome
A perennial tufted grass with compact rhizomes and hairy nodes. It grows to a height of 200 to 550 mm. Rhizomes are oblique, up to 100 mm long and covered with hairy, persistent, overlapping bases of old leaf sheaths. Leaf blades 2-7 mm wide and from 40-200 mm long and borne mostly at the base of the plant. Leaf sheaths are densely hairy. Culms are unbranched and often have a purplish colour. Inflorescence is sub-digitate with purple to off-white hairy spikelets. Racemes are usually 2 or 3 in number, but there may be up to seven and are 30-130 mm long.
This is a highly palatable, naturally occurring grass that is often grazed to such an extent that it is seldom seen when in flower. It can endure a reasonable degree of overgrazing and trampling due its rhizomes. It is an indicator of good vegetation condition and also reacts well to rest from grazing.
Chromosome base number, x = 9
C4 photosynthetic pathway. Biochemical type XyMS-. PCR cell chloroplasts are centrifugal/peripheral.
None reported and considered to be non-toxic.
D. tricholaenoides is adapted to mesic climates at moderate altitudes and annual rainfall between 400 and 800 mm. It often occurs in open areas between bush clumps where it can become dominant or may be associated with other grass species, such as Themeda triandra, Digitaria eriantha, Heteropogon contortus and Eragrostis obtusa. Due to its rhizomes, it is very good at binding the soil surface and preventing erosion in areas where intense grazing may take place. On livestock commonages it may form extensive lawns of only 10 - 20 mm tall where continuous grazing keeps the plants short.
It often grows in areas with stony or gravely soil or on slopes, but prefers areas that have not been disturbed.
D. tricholaenoides can be propagated by transplanting vegetative parts, but this is not commonly undertaken since there are many other species and varieties that have better yields and grazing properties. It is not known whether propagation by seed has ever been attempted and the potential for this type of propagation is therefore unknown. D. tricholaenoides is utilized as a native pasture species.
A summer-growing species that flowers anytime from November to March.
None known
It is a good grazing species and reacts well to periods of rest during which it quickly produces new biomass.
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.