Botanical name: Panicum turgidum    Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
Synonyms: Panicum frutescens, Panicum minutiflorum, Panicum neglectum

Desert Grass is a coarse, woody and tussocky perennial grass that grows to a height of 1.5-2 m. It has a stout, fibrous root system that grows to 2 m deep and spreads to 3.5 m around. The stems are erect, bamboo-like and smooth, and root and branch from the nodes. Desert grass is a leafy species. The leaves are alternate, simple, with stiff pungent leaf-blade, 20-30 cm long x 7 mm wide. The inflorescence is at branch-ends, moderately branched, pyramidal and loose panicle, 2.5-15 cm in length and 5-9 cm in breadth. The spikelets are ovoid, 3.5-4.5 mm long. The fruit is a caryopsis, 2 mm long, reddish in color. Desert Grass is native to Tropical Africa to India.

Your name:
Your email:
Your comments
The flower labeled Desert Grass is ...