Heartleaf grass
Panicum heterostachyum
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
An annual grass. It grows 20-80 cm long. The leaf blade is 8-12 cm long by 10-25 mm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flower panicle is 4-15 cm long. It has many branches. The spikelets are 1.5 mm long.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in bushland and savanna throughout tropical Africa. It grows from 30-1,700 m altitude. It grows in hot arid places. It grows in dry sandy soils and in poorly drained soils. It can tolerate shade. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Caribbean, Central Africa, Colombia, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guyana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Sahel, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The rhizomes are used as a famine food.
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Rhizome, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Kansenye