Family POACEAE
Genus Melinis
Species nerviglumis
SA Plant Number
Basionym Melinis nerviglumis

Melinis nerviglumis is a very hardy, semi-deciduous, dense, tufted, perennial grass with beautiful grey leaves.

The gorgeous plumes of shiny fluffy pink to red seeds appear all year round and attract small seed eating birds.

It makes an attractive addition to a grassland garden planted in sun or semi-shade.
Planted en masse, with the sun shining on the fluffy spikes, they are a wonderful sight.

Plant in full sun or semi-shade, in well drained soil. As with all grasses it should be cut back in late winter and raked to keep it healthy.

Size 35 to 80cm

Wildlife garden plant: The seeds attract seed-eating birds as well as a number of small insects.

Limpopo, North West Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal,  Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Western Cape 

Biome:Grassland

Natural Habitat Undisturbed veld in gravelly soil on slopes.  

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Semi-Deciduous, Hardiness - Frost: Frost Hardy, Plant Type: Grasses, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Sun - Full, Soil: Well-drained, Garden Uses: Bird Friendly, Garden Uses: Butterfly Host, Garden Uses: Local to Gauteng, Garden Uses: Long Flowering, Garden Uses: Rockeries and retaining walls, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Hardiness - Drought: Drought Hardy, Garden type: Grassland Garden, Garden type: Wildlife Garden,

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