Pogonarthria squarrosa

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Pogonarthria squarrosa (Roem. & Schult.) Pilg.

Family: Poaceae

Common names: herringbone grass, sickle grass

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Introduction

Pogonarthria squarrosa is a loosely tufted grass with interesting, reddish-brown inflorescences which have led to its common name, herringbone or sickle grass.

Herringbone grass

Description

Description

This is an erect, perennial grass, growing up to 1.2 m tall. The long, tapering inflorescence is up to 400 mm long, has a firm, straight, central axis with numerous short, usually upward-curving branches (hence the name herringbone); the spikelets are arranged all along the branches on the lower side. The spikelets are elliptic to linear, up to 8 mm long, with numerous sharply pointed, green florets, and these contrast with the red to reddish-brown glumes. Flowering time is from November to May.

Close up

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

This grass is widespread in South Africa , growing in well-drained and especially sandy soils. It is common in disturbed places such as roadsides and old cultivated lands.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

The meaning of the genus name Pogonarthria comes from the Greek pogon meaning beard, and arthron, a joint, probably referring to the beaded joints of the rhachilla in the spikelet. The specific epithet squarrosa is Latin and means a tip projecting outwards, usually at a angle of 90º, probably referring to the position of the stiff inflorescence branches.

There are four species, all of which occur in Africa, of which P. squarrosa is the only perennial.

Ecology

Ecology

The grass is an indicator of poor, sandy soils, old lands and disturbed areas.

Uses

Use

Pogonarthria squarrosa is a hard, unpalatable grass, therefore seldom grazed. As it is a subclimax grass that colonises disturbed areas, it would be useful in preventing erosion. There are reports of the culms (stems) being tied together and used as hand brooms.

Herringbone grass

 

Growing Pogonarthria squarrosa

Grow

Up to now, indigenous grasses have seldom been used in gardens, therefore not much is known about the cultivation especially of the non-pasture grasses, nor are seeds or plants easy to obtain. However, this is changing as people become aware of how grasses can add interest to the garden as a feature. Many also attract birds and other wild life to the garden.

Pogonarthria squarrosa,  with its unusual inflorescence and red-brown colour, would be an asset to a garden. Since it is found in disturbed areas, it should be quite easy to grow in a sandy inland garden.

References

  • Chippindall, L.K.A. & Crook, A.O. 1976. 240 grasses of southern Africa , part 175. Collins, Salisbury.
  • Gibbs Russell, G.E., Watson, L., Koekemoer, M., Smook, L., Barker, N.P., Anderson, H.M. & Dallwitz, M.J. 1991. Grasses of southern Africa . Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 58.
  • Van Oudtshoorn, F. 1999. A guide to the grasses of southern Africa . Briza Publications, Pretoria.

Credits

Lyn Fish
National Herbarium, Pretoria
July 2005

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Grass

SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape

Soil type: Sandy

Flowering season: Early Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, Winter

PH:

Flower colour: Brown, Red

Aspect:

Gardening skill:

Special Features:

Useful plant

Horticultural zones