Carrot seed grass
Tragus racemosus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is an annual grass. It grows 25 cm high. The leaves have stiff hairs along the edge. The flowers are spiny. They are in spikes 7 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in shallow stony soils. It grows between 600-2,600 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 250-500 mm. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Mediterranean, Middle East, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten in porridge.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nagaadh, Xarfo

Synonyms

Cenchrus racemosus L.; Tragus brevicaulis Boiss.; Tragus paucispinus Hack.;