Family POACEAE
Genus Eragrostis
Species racemosa
SA Plant Number
Basionym Eragrostis racemosa

Eragrostis racemosa is a hardy, small and densely tufted perennial grass that occupies a very useful groundcover role in Highveld landscapes as it seldom flowers above 30cm. Flowers are carried on delicate flowering stalks from August to May, however, Eragrostis racemosa is almost always covered in persistent attractive golden seed heads and so appears attractive year round. It is a beautiful grass for in amongst shorter flowering plants in a meadow or grassland garden. Also suitable for containers and wildlife gardens, where birds will eat the seed.

Plant in full sun, in well drained soil. It prefers shallow, sandy soil, but will also grow in vleis and on riverbanks.

Size: up to 50cm

Seed for birds and insects: Birds will eat the ripe seed of Eragrostis racemosa.

Landscaping: Beautiful small grass for planting amongst lower growing flowering perennials and bulbs in a grassland or meadow garden planting. Makes an attractive container subject whether planted with other plants or on its own.

Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West

Natural Habitat Moist areas, open grassland in high rainfall areas, vleis and on riverbanks. 

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Frost Hardy, Plant Type: Grasses, Position: Sun - Full, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Soil: Sandy Soil, Garden Uses: Bird Friendly, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Damp areas, Garden Uses: Local to Gauteng, Garden Uses: Long Flowering, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Hardiness - Drought: Needs Watering, Flower colour: Brown shades, Garden type: Bushveld, Garden type: Grassland Garden, Garden type: Rainwater Harvesting Garden, Garden type: River-side and Stream-side Gardens, Garden type: Wetland and Marsh Gardens, Garden type: Wildlife Garden,

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