Gramineae

Ruspergras (Afrikaans), Caterpillar grass

Chloridoideae; Chlorideae.

There is only one species of Harpochloa, which occurs in southern Africa only (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland). It is found in the Fynbos, Savanna and Grassland Biomes.

A densely tufted and distinctly rhizomatous perennial grass that grows to a height of 400-900 mm tall. The leaf blades are 100-250 mm long, 2-4 mm wide and are stiffly linear, flat or rolled and have blunt tips. The ligule is a fringed membrane. The inflorescence is a single one-sided, grey spike, rarely two, usually non-digitate, that typically curls back when mature. The spikelet-bearing axis is persistent. The spikelets are solitary, alternately biseriate along the midrib of the rachis, 6-7 mm long, compressed laterally, darkly pigmented, disarticulating above the glumes but not between the florets. Glumes are very unequal, dark grey-green, awnless. Incomplete florets are distal to the female-fertile florets and are awnless. The lemma of the female fertile floret has similar texture to glumes, has no germination flap, is three-nerved, entire and awnless. A relatively long palea is present that is hairy near the tip.

A relatively good natural grazing species that has average palatability and high leaf production (Van Wyk & Van Oudtshoorn 1999). It becomes hard and unpalatable later in the season so is usually only grazed earlier on. Appears to be able to endure trampling and heavy grazing. It is often associated with Themeda triandra.
The inflorescences are sometimes used in flower arrangements.

Chromosome base number, x = 10.

C₄ photosynthetic pathway.

None reported and considered to be non-toxic.

Found in mesic, open, undisturbed mountainous grasslands of southern Africa where it may form dense stands. Rainfall in its area of distribution may be from 700-1000 mm per annum.

Stony well-drained to compacted soils on moist slopes.

H. falx is not propagated.

Summer growing species that flowers from September to April.

None known.

Moderate to slow-growing.

Acocks, J.P.H. 1988. Veld types of South Africa (3rd edn.). Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Afr. No 28. Government printer, Pretoria.

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.