Hippo grass
Vossia cuspidata

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A plant that keeps growing from year to year. It can be under the water or floating. The stalks are 7 m long. They are 1 cm across and are spongy. There are fibrous roots from the nodes. It stands 1-2 m out of the water. The leaf blades are 30-100 cm long by 6-19 mm wide. There are 1-12 flower stalks each 10-30 cm long. The spikelets do not have stalks.

There is only one Vossia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in or near water. It is often floating. It is often in savannah regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Egypt, India, Malawi, Mozambique, North Africa, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The stems are chewed.

Edible parts

Stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Majakubu, Monxidi, Munungwe

Synonyms

Ischaemum cuspidatum Roxb.; Vossia procera Wall. & Griff.;