Gramineae

Rolling grass, waaigras (Afrikaans).

Chloridoideae; Chlorideae. There are 7 species in the genus that are found in America and tropical Africa.

Trichoneura grandiglumis is found in Africa south of the Congo Basin in savanna and grassland areas.

A sparse, weak tufted perennial grass with slender culms that may be erect or ascending and grow to a height of 220-630 mm tall. Leaf blades are up to 30-200 mm long and 3-7 mm wide. The inflorescence is a spike-like main branch with racemes spreading horizontally from the main axis. It is particularly large in relation to the rest of the plant and breaks off when it reaches maturity to be dispersed by the wind. The spikelets are 5-14 mm long and have long, sharp glumes. They are attached to the inflorescence axis without overlapping.

An unpalatable grass with low leaf production. It is apparently slightly poisonous in parts of Lesotho (Van Wyk & Van Oudtshoorn 1999).

Chromosome base number, x = 10.

C₄ photosynthetic pathway.

In parts of Lesotho it is considered to be toxic.

Found on hillsides or open floodplains in areas with moderate rainfall and a sub-tropical climate. It is sometimes found in disturbed areas and is an increaser in rangeland that has been overgrazed. Seldom occurs in dense stands although it may be common.

Usually grows on sandy soils.

Not cultivated or propagated.

Flowers from November to April.

None known.

Trichoneura grandiglumis is 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.