Melinis repens

Melinis repens

Quantity:

Common Names

Natalse Rooipluim (afrikaans)
Natal Redtop (english)

Taxonomy

Family POACEAE
Genus Melinis
Species repens
SA Plant Number
Basionym Melinis repens

Description

Melinis repens is a hardy, tufted, weakly perennial grass with greyish green leaves. It has beautiful plumes of hairy, pink flowers that become pale, almost white as they mature. Flowers and seeds from September to June.

This is the grass you see along the roads shining in the sun. It generally grows in disturbed areas, regardless of soil type.It is a good soil stabiliser interplanted with other perennial grasses or groundcovers.

The seeds attract seed eating birds. Some birds collect the fluffy flower and seed heads to build their nests with.

Plant in sun or semi-shade. Prune back to about 5cm above ground level each winter.
A lovely addition to a grassland garden or mass plant for a beautiful show.

Size up to 40cm

Wildlife

Uses

Decoration:
Flowers used in floral arrangements

Distribution

Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape


Biome:
Grassland

Natural Habitat:

Disturbed areas, grassland and bushveld

 

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