Stipagrostis namaquensis

Stipagrostis namaquensis (river bushman grass;[2] Afrikaans: Steekkweek, "stinging weed"[3]) is a species of grass native to Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa,[1] especially in the Nama Karoo. It is listed as "safe" (LC) on the SANBI Red List.[4]

Stipagrostis namaquensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Stipagrostis
Species:
S. namaquensis
Binomial name
Stipagrostis namaquensis
(Nees) De Winter (1963)
Synonyms[1]
  • Arthratherum namaquense Nees (1841)
  • Aristida namaquensis (Nees) Trin. & Rupr. (1842)

Stipagrostis namaquensis is a perennial loose tussock with extended rhizomes. The lower sheathes are fuzzy, and the stems are kneaded or upright at 10–20 cm long. The leaf sheaths can be bare or fuzzy, but the leaves stick up 6–10 cm long and measure 1–2 mm wide. The flower is an open or lance-shaped plume if 10–15 cm, and the spines are 10–15 mm long.[citation needed]

African lovegrass is mildly suited to grazing.[citation needed]

EIW SWIW LnregWIW
Grazing Response Index[5] 7 3.8 2.89

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Stipagrostis namaquensis (Nees) De Winter. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Kyffhauser".
  3. ^ also: Kalaharikweek ("Kalahari weed"); steekrietboesmangras "stinging reed bushman grass"; steekwiet, bamboeskweek, "bamboo weed")
  4. ^ "Red List entry". SANBI.
  5. ^ Du Toit, P.C.V. "Objektiewe weidingsindekswaardes van Nama-Karoo plantegroei: grasse en bossies van die Karoo". Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute.