Sporobolus festivus

Hochst. ex A. Rich.

Confetti dropseed, Fibrous dropseed

Poaceae Edible: Seeds, Grain, Cereal 10 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A grass that keeps growing from year to year. It forms tufts. It grows 60 cm high. The leaf sheath at the base is papery. It turns into fibres. The leaf blade is 2-15 cm long by 1-2 mm wide. The edges roll inwards. The flower panicle is 3-22 cm long. It is narrowly oval. The seeds or grains are 0.5-0.7 mm long.

Edible Uses

The seeds or grains are eaten as cereal and have been used as a famine food.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows on well-drained open places. It is often on shallow sandy soils and in the crevices of rocks. It grows between 90-1,200 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Africa, Arabia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,