Eragrostis truncata (Afrikaans: bloupolgras, "blue tussock"[1]) is a species of grass in the family Poaceae that is native to Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. Found most abundantly in the Nama Karoo, the plant is registered under the SANBI Red List as "safe" (LC).[2]
| Eragrostis truncata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Eragrostis |
| Species: | E. truncata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eragrostis truncata | |
The root stock is short and branched, and the plant is a perennial with clumped seeds.[3]
In the Gemsbok National Park portion of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the species is found mainly on the banks of the Nossob River, along with such grasses as Enneapogon desvauxii, Stipagrostis obtusa, Eragrostis echinochloidea, Sporobolus rangei, and Schmidtia kalahariensis. It can also be found on the basin floor.[4]
Agriculture edit
This sweet grass remains edible in the winter months, when more acidic grasses become tasteless and nutritionally poor.[5]
It is delicious and suitable for grazing:
| Header text | EIW | SWIW | LnregWIW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grazing Response Index[6] | 7 | 4.3 | 3.01 |
References edit
- ^ Also: gemsbokgras ("deer grass"), kwaggagras ("quagga grass"), kwaggakweek ("quagga growth"), kalkgras ("lime grass")
- ^ "SANBI Red List entry".
- ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2006). CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. CRC Press. p. 866. ISBN 9781420003222.
- ^ "Koedoe vol 50(1) 99-112". African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd.
- ^ Chemical Studies of Infertile Soils Derived from Rocks High in Magnesium and Generally High in Chromium and Nickel, Issues 451-475. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1935. p. 81.
- ^ Du Toit, P.C.V. "Objektiewe weidingsindekswaardes van Nama-Karoo plantegroei: grasse en bossies van die Karoo". Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute.