Kangaroo Grass, Red oat grass
Themeda triandra

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a grass which grows in dense tufts. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows about 1 m high. The leaves are coarse and narrow. They are 30 cm long. The stems are slightly flattened and smooth. The flower heads occur in stalked clusters. They are green and purple. They turn a rusty brown as they ripen.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in most types of soils. It is drought resistant. It grows in tropical and temperate places. It grows in the Upper Nile. It grows best with temperatures of 25-35°C. It grows in hot arid areas. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 375-6,250 mm. It grows from sea level to 3,000 m above sea level. It will re-grow after fire. It can grow in arid places. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Africa, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, SE Asia, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Tasmania (country/location of origin), Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are ground and eaten. They are cooked and used for damper.

The seeds are a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, grains, cereal, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed need to be stored for 6-11 months.

Its other names

Local names

Bettanchi hullu, Bhatdi, Bhatolu, Bhimana-hanchi, Buunhu, Chigora, Chindindi, Daba shabeel, Erigai thattu pullu, Fuliu, Garaarr, Ggaraarr, Gondamanchi hullu, Kankululu, Myauk-mi, Myet-swe-le, Peddayerra-kallakasurn, Red Grass, Thodda anji hullu, Umukeenke, Wuuloitch, Wuulot

Synonyms

Anthistiria imberbis Retz.; Themeda imberbis (Retz.); Themeda australis (R. Br.) Stapf.;