Family POACEAE
Genus Setaria
Species megaphylla
SA Plant Number
Basionym Setaria megaphylla

Setaria megaphylla is a hardy, evergreen, shade- and moisture-loving grass that has beautiful, broad, bright-green, ribbed leaves.

Long spikes of brown seeds follow the dainty flowers that are borne from September to June. Attracts myriads of seed-eating birds to the garden. It is the host plant of various butterfly species.

As with most grasses, it should be cut back at least once a year. Even though it looks great in March, cut it back so it has time to grow a bit and look great all winter. If not pruned, it tends to fall over and look untidy in late winter and you would then need to cut it back severely.

Suitable for deep shade areas as well as normal to semi-shade areas.

Size: 0,5 to 1m

Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Natural Habitat Along rivers and streams, Evergreen Forest, Forest margin  

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Fairly Hardy, Plant Type: Grasses, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade, Position: Sun - Morning, Position: Under deciduous trees, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Garden Uses: Butterfly Host, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Damp areas, Garden Uses: Local to Gauteng, Garden Uses: Long Flowering, Garden Uses: Rockeries and retaining walls, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Specimen, Hardiness - Drought: Needs Watering, Garden type: Bushveld, Garden type: Forest Garden, Garden type: River-side and Stream-side Gardens, Garden type: Wetland and Marsh Gardens, Garden type: Wildlife Garden,

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