Soft Lovegrass, Wild tef
Eragrostis pilosa

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

An annual grass. It can be erect or lie over. It grows 8-40 cm high. The leaf blades are short and narrow. They are 1-3 mm wide. The flowers are in a delicate panicle. They are open and 5-20 cm long.

There are about 300 Eragrostis species. It is 16.1% protein.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It is widely distributed in the tropics. It grows well in damp places. It can grow on sandy soils. It can grow in hot arid places. It can be in poorly drained soils that are sandy or have clay. It grows from sea level to 2,300 m above sea level. It can tolerate shade. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, American Samoa, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Balkans, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Caribbean, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinée, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesotho, Lesser Antilles, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Socotra, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It is used in kreb a grain mixture eaten in Chad.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Seed can be collected from ant hills.

Its other names

Local names

Am-hoy, Burwai, Chiriaka dana, Gadar punch, Galgala, Jukut tai hayam, Kadu sanna samai hullu, Kutaki, Kuthira val pul, Kwoinkwoin, Lanchuran, Myet-hmwa-gyi, Myet-wa-lon, Nikasanwak, Phularaw, Raguman, Sukei menuran

Synonyms

Eragrostis tenuiflora Rupr. ex Steud.; Eragrostis verticillata (Cay.) Roem. & Schult.; Poa pilosa Linn.; Poa verticillata Cay.;