In South Africa, we call it “rooigras,” which means “red grass” in Afrikaans. The grass gets its name from its reddish colour, which also inspired the name of the Rooiberge (Red Mountains) near Clarens. The young grass is green to blue-green, but it changes colour from pink to red and purple colors as it gets older. In October to July, it grows large packets of flower that have three pointed spikes.
Helping People and Animals
Rooigras is high in protein and is the most important grazing grass in South and East Africa. It is resistant to fire and will increase if burnt regularly. A healthy stand of this grass indicates veld in good condition. Besides its value to livestock and game, people use it for temporary thatching and it also has medicinal properties. An infusion of ground leaves and water is drunk for stomach pains. Rooigras is very closely related to Kangaroo grass (Themeda australis) in Australia, a grass with also medicinal uses.