Curly Leaf Grass

© D. Wessels

Name

Curly leaf grass or curly leaved love grass (Eragrostis rigidior)

Description

The curly leaf grass is perennial, reaching a length of about 1 m. Its inflorescence is a panicle and its leaves are open, dry and curly. The lower branches of the grass grows in a whorl, and at times has tufts of leaves or roots on its lower nodes.

Uses

This grass is depended upon in arid areas as a grazing grass, where it grows abundantly. It is commonly found growing in the veld and indicates disturbed soil. This is an average grazing grass with a few, hard leaves.

Habitat

This grass is widely distributed across Southern Africa, East Africa and stretches as far as Uganda and Kenya. It usually grows in warm regions and in disturbed soils, such as bare areas in eroded or overgrazed veld or on abandoned cultivated lands.

Flowers

The curly leaf grass flowers in South Africa from October to May.