Confetti dropseed, Fibrous dropseed
Sporobolus festivus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass that keeps growing from year to year. It forms tufts. It grows 60 cm high. The leaf sheath at the base is papery. It turns into fibres. The leaf blade is 2-15 cm long by 1-2 mm wide. The edges roll inwards. The flower panicle is 3-22 cm long. It is narrowly oval. The seeds or grains are 0.5-0.7 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on well-drained open places. It is often on shallow sandy soils and in the crevices of rocks. It grows between 90-1,200 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, grain, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kafini, Lusaga

Synonyms

Sporobolus festivus var. fibrosus Stent; Sporobolus menyharthii Hack.; Vilfa festiva (Hochst.) Steud.;