Common Name:

General Information

Aristida adscensionis is an annual to perennial grass with culms 10 - 100cm long that can be erect, geniculately ascending, or decumbent[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre. It is sometimes cultivated as a pasture grass and to protect the soil from erosion[]..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widely distributed throughout the tropical, subtropical and warm temperate zones.

Habitat

A common pioneer species on disturbed poor soil in waste land, rocky places, grassland, open bush and fallows[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropical, subtropical and warm temperate zones, where it is found at elevations up to 2,250 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 28°c, but can tolerate 5 - 35°c[]. Tolerant of heavy frosts, when dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to -20°c, but fresh growth can be killed at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 300 - 400mm, but tolerates 200 - 700mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Prefers a sandy soil, though it succeeds in most soils, including those of low fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 8, tolerating 6.5 - 8.5[].
The plant has become an invasive weed in many areas[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used for erosion control[].
A common pioneer species on disturbed poor soil in waste land, rocky places, grassland, open bush and fallows[].

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the roots[]. It is used to make weavers' brushes[].

The culms are used to make frames for making paper[].

The roots are used to make tatties, or hot-weather screens, in the same manner as the Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) roots are used[]. The material is spread thinly over bamboo frames[].

Propagation

Seed -

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