Graminae 

Common names: Gulf barnyard grass, Gulf cockspur grass

Description

Robust perennial (rarely annual) with stout culms 50-200 cm high, often rooting at the lower nodes. Leaf-blades broad and soft, 15-60 cm long and 5-25 mm wide; ligule absent. Inflorescence is large and 10-30 cm long, mostly with the racemes shortly branched. The lowest racemes 3-15 cm long. Spikelets elliptic, 2-3 mm long (rarely longer), hispid; lower lemma acute, acuminate or with a short curved awn 1-3 mm, or up to 7 mm long; upper lemma 2-2.5 mm long.

Habitat

Swamps and stream-sides in shallow water.

Altitude range

0-1900 m.

Distribution

Kenya; also from Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, tropical and South Africa; tropical America.

Use

Of some grazing value in limited areas.

Edited by: F. Guiso Gallisai
Information taken from: Ibrahim, K. M., Kabuye, C. H. S. 1988. An illustrated manual of Kenya grasses. Rome, FAO. 765 pp.