Ox grass, Tough love-grass
Eragrostis plana
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A grass that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 m high. It forms dense tufts. The leaf sheaths at the base overlap and are flattened.
Where it is found
It grows in tropical and subtropical places. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 2,000 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The seeds are used for making bread and also for making beer. The roots are eaten as a snack.
A famine food.
Edible parts
Seeds, cereal, roots