Brachiaria mutica

Mauritius grass, Para grass, California grass, giant couch, water grass

A grass with very long trailing stems reaching 2.5 m and broad hairy leaves. Grows well only in poorly drained soils in high-rainfall areas or on seasonally wet land. Withstands waterlogging and is dormant in dry season. Should be grazed rotationally as it does not withstand heavy grazing. Often used as green chopped forage; not suitable for silage. Has proved a very satisfactory green manure crop in pineapple fields. Growers of this grass must prevent its invasion of irrigation ditches and ponds. In some areas, ponds have been completely covered with floating layers of vegetation thick enough to support the weight of grazing cattle. Easily established from cuttings or pieces of creeping shoots planted 1-2 m apart. Weeds are eventually suppressed because of the competitive vigour of this grass.