Natal grass, Red Natal Grass, Ruby grass
Rhynchelytrum repens

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass which keeps growing from year to year. It develops into a tussock. The leaves are stems are pale green. They sometimes have purple blotches. The lower stems can often lie along the ground and root at the nodes. The flowering heads are deep pink or red. They are in an open arrangement on the top of slender stalks. The mature flower has shining pink or red silky hairs. The plant varies a lot.

There are 15 Rhynchelytrum species. They grow in tropical Africa.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal regions. It suits warm places. It often grows on poorer soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Ghana, India, Iran, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Norfolk Island, Pakistan, SE Asia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Melinis rosea (Nees) Hack.; Monachyron villosa (Part.) Hack.; Monachyron villosum Parl.; Monachyron wightii (Nees & Arn. ex Steud.) Hack.; Panicum megalanthum Steud.; Panicum roseum (Nees) Steud.; Rhynchelytrum roseum (Nees) Stapf & Hubbard ex Bews; Rhynchelytrum villosum (Parl.) Chiov.; Rhynchelytrum wightii (Nees & Arn. ex Steud.) Duthie; Saccharum repens Wind.; Tricholaena repens (Willd.) Hitchc.; Tricholaena rosea Nees; Tricholaena tuberculosa Hack. ex Hook. f.; Tricholaena villosa (Parl.) Dur. & Schinz.; Tricholaena wightii Nees & Arn. ex Steud.;