Thatch grass
Hyparrhenia rufa

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass that grows in dense tufts. It can grow each year from seed or keep growing from year to year. It grows 2.5 m high. The leaf blades are 30-60 cm long by 2-8 mm wide. The spikelets are 4-5 mm long.

Probably edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in deciduous bushland and wooded grassland. It is widespread and variable in Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Ethiopia, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Paraguay, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Venezuela, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Senbelieth, Samola satiho

Synonyms

Andropogon altissimus Hochst. ex A. Braun; Andropogon bouangensis Franch.; Andropogon fulvicomus Hochst.; Andropogon rufus (Nees) Kunth; Cymbopogon rufus (Nees) Rendle; Hyparrhenia altissima Stapf; Hyparrhenia fulvicoma (Hochst.) Andersson; Hyparrhenia parvispiculata Bamps; Trachypogon rufus Nees;