About Natal Grass
Melinis repens is a species of grass known by the common names rose Natal grass, Natal red top, or simply Natal grass. It is native to southern Africa and an introduced species, often considered a noxious weed, on other continents such as North America and Australia. It is an annual or perennial grass, growing up to a meter tall. Its growth rate is dependent on temperature. The inflorescence is an open array of branches bearing spikelets densely coated in silky white or pink. In Chishona, its name is bhurakwacha. The Mursi people of Ethiopia call this grass imai.
Description adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Melinis repens
- Genus
- Melinis
- Family
- POACEAE
- Habit
- Herb
- Habitat
- Moist deciduous forests and grasslands, also in rocky terrains
- Distribution
- India, Africa, Pakistan; introduced to many other tropical countries
- Flowering & fruiting
- March-August
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Poaceae
Grass family
Natal Grass belongs to the Poaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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