Bushveld signal grass, Sabi grass, Gonya grass
Urochloa mosambicensis

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 to 1.3 m high. It forms tufts. The leaves are broad and have a sharp point. The flowering shoots consist of 4 to 10 dense, one-sided spikes. These are grey and are near the tip of the stems. The spikelets are 5 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wooded grassland and deciduous bushland. It cannot tolerate frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 400-1,200 mm. It grows in well drained soils. It can grow in salty and alkaline soils. It can re-grow after fire. It grows between sea level and 1,400 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ghana, Hawaii, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It is sometimes cultivated as a food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, grains, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bunga, Chequenchi, Gonya grass, Imbabu, Impunga, M'pande, Mwe-zok-myet, Namape, Phoka, Shibanane, Tunga, Wayon-myet

Synonyms

Urochloa pullulans Stapf; Urochloa pullulans Stapf var. mosambicensis (Hack.) Stapf; Urochloa rhodesiensis Stent; Echiochloa notabile (Hook. f.) Rhind; Panicum mosambicense Hack.;