Hyparrhenia nyassae

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass that keeps growing from year to year. It forms tufts and grows 1.5 m high. There are white hairs near the base of the leaf sheath. The leaf blade is 45 cm long by 2-5 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah woodlands especially damp sites and near swamps. It grows from 40-2,300 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indochina, Malawi, Mozambique, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, 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

Synonyms

Andropogon chrysargyreus (Stapf.) Stapf.; Andropogon lasiobasis Pilg.; Andropogon nyassae Rendle; Andropogon rufus var. auricomus Pilg.; Cymbopogon chrysargyreus Stapf.; Cymbopogon nyassae (Rendle) Pilg.; Cymbopogon vanderystii De Wild.; Hyparrhenia rufa sensu Stent & Rattray; Hyparrhenia vanderystii (De Wild.) Vanderyst; Hyparrhenia vulpina Stapf;