Common Name: Perennial Dropseed

General Information

Perennial dropseed is a clump-forming, perennial grass with a short rhizome; it can grow up to 1.7 metres tall. The usually unbranched culms are 2 - 3mm in diameter at the base[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of its seed. It is also sometimes planted in soil stabilization projects.

Known Hazards

The plant may contain hydrocyanic acid, but poisoning is seldom a problem[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.

Habitat

Open woodland and grassland, often in shallow rainwater pans, sometimes on rocky hillsides, also in disturbed or shady locations; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species photosynthesizes by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions[].

Edible Uses

Seed - eaten during times of food shortage; they may be ground to prepare a porridge[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

It has been planted for soil stabilization[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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