Perennial Dropseed. Dropseed grass
Sporobolus fimbriatus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

Sporobolus fimbriatus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Open woodland and grassland, often in shallow rainwater pans, sometimes on rocky hillsides, also in disturbed or shady locations; at elevations up to 2,000 metres. Occurs in the tropics and subtropics, extending into warm temperate regions.

Africa - Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Seed - eaten during times of food shortage; they may be ground to prepare a porridge.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Agroforestry Uses: It has been planted for soil stabilization. Other Uses None known

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Balanced carb: (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Balanced carb: (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

Climate: Subtropical semi-arid to humid. This species photosynthesizes by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

The plant may contain hydrocyanic acid, but poisoning is seldom a problem.

Its other names

Local names

Sand Dropseed, Fringed dropseed, Matolo-a-maholo, Mussinguizuana, Tedze, Blousaadgras, Blousygras, Blousysaadgras, Common Dropseed, Fyngras, Gewone Fynsaadgras, Grootsoetgras, Grootsoetvleigras, Grootvleigras, Soetvleigras, Vleigras

Synonyms

Sporobolus marlothii Hack. Sporobolus rehmannii Hack. Vilfa fimbriata Nees ex Trin.