Gramineae

Herringbone grass, sekelgras (Afrikaans).

Chloridoideae, Chlorideae.

There are 4 species of Pogonathria from tropical and southern Africa. Pogonathria squarrosa is an occasional weed from tropical Africa found in the savanna and grassland vegetation.

A tufted, or sometimes shortly rhizomatous, sparse perennial grass that grow to a height of 270-1400 mm tall. The leaf blades are 40-330 mm long and 2.0-5.5 mm wide and the leaf sheaths are glabrous. The ligule is a fringed membrane. The inflorescence consists of numerous short brown racemes that curve upwards. The spikelets are solitary and 3.3-7.8 mm long. Pogonathria squarrosa is closely related to P. fleckii, but this species is an annual with slanted culms and hairy leaves.

A hard, unpalatable grass with low leaf production that is seldom grazed. The culms are sometimes tied together to make hand brooms.

C₄ photosynthetic pathway.

None reported and considered to be non-toxic.

It is a sub-climax species that colonises disturbed sandy soil in overgrazed rangeland. Occurs in dry woodland and grassland habitats where the rainfall may be from 300-800 mm per annum, but with hot tropical conditions.

Usually found in sandy or well-drained soils.

Pogonathria squarrosa is not propagated.

Summer growing species that flowers from November to May.

None known.

Moderate to slow-growing.

Gibbs-Russell, G. E. Watson, L., Koekemoer, M., Smook, L. Barker, N. P.., Anderson, H. M., Dallwitz, M.J. 1991. 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.