Common Name:

General Information

Eragrostis tremula is a loosely clump-forming, annual to perennial grass with erect, usually unbranched culms up to 100cm tall. These culms have attractive trembling panicles[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, south to Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique; Asia - Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Laos, Vietn

Habitat

Farmland, roadsides and waste places[]. River banks, lake shores, pan margins and floodplains, usually in sandy soil; also in cultivated areas and disturbed ground at roadsides; at elevations from 50 - 1,600 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Usually found in sandy soils in the wild[].
The grass is weed in the savannah zone of Africa and may at times be a little troublesome[].
The root possesses a strong caramel-like smell[].

Edible Uses

Seed - eaten as a cereal[]. The seed is small and fiddly to utilize - it is most commonly seen as a famine food, used when nothing better is available[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The culms, bundled together, are used as hand-brooms for indoor use[].
The culms may also be used for thatching, and are woven together to make mats and cordage[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ, only just covering the seed. Germination is usually very quick and free.

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