Chloris gayana

Chloris gayana

Common Names

Rhodes Grass (english)Rhodesgras (afrikaans)

Taxonomy

Family POACEAE
Genus Chloris
Species gayana
SA Plant Number
Basionym Chloris gayana

Description

Chloris gayana is a hardy, evergreen, very leafy, tufted, perennial grass that spreads by means of stolons. It has finger-like flowering heads from November to May. When it is in seed it will be regularly visited by seed-eating birds. It is very attractive when you see a stand of these grasses waving in the breeze - adding movement to the garden.

It is a good grazing grass and as it propagates by stolons it is great for stabilising banks. It also grows in wet areas and looks particularly good growing up to the edge of ponds.

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

Size: 0.5 to 1.5m

Seeds

Lifestyle Seeds may have stock of Chloris gayana seeds.

Wildlife

Birds: The seeding heads of grass attract seed-eating birds to the garden

Mammals: Chloris gayana is a good grazing grass

Uses

Landscaping: Good for stabilising banks as it propagates by stolons. Attractive planted near a dam or pond.

Distribution

Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Natural Habitat Grassland, forest margins, roadsides

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