Kangaroo Grass

Themeda triandra

''Themeda triandra'' is a perennial tussock-forming grass widespread in Africa, Australia, Asia and the Pacific. In Australia it is commonly known as kangaroo grass and in East Africa and South Africa it is known as red grass and red oat grass or as ''rooigras'' in Afrikaans. It does not do well under heavy grazing pressure, but benefits from occasional fire.
Kangaroo grass Kangaroo grass is one of the most recognisable members of the grass family Poaceae here in Australia, found in all states and territories. It is a tufted perennial that can grow to 1.5 m tall and 0.5 m across. The leaves are 10-50 cm long and 2-5 mm wide, green to grey, drying to an orange brown in summer. The flowering period is from December to February. Before the colonisation of Australia by the British, kangaroo grass was harvested by our First Nation peoples. The leaves and stems were made in to string, the basis for fishing nets for example. The grains were harvested and ground into flour and porridge; the flour was used to make a traditional bread, said to have a nutty flavour. Evidence has been found of this food production occurring as far back as 30,000 years ago. It serves as a food source for several bird species. Australia,Flora,Geotagged,Poaceae,Poales,Themeda triandra,botany,kangaroo grass,new south wales,spring

Appearance

''Themeda triandra'' is a grass which grows in dense tufts up to 1.5 metres tall and 0.5 metres wide. It flowers in summer, producing large red-brown spikelets on branched stems. The leaves are 10–30 centimetres in length and 1–8 millimetres wide but can exceed 10–50 centimetres long and 2–5 millimetres wide.

Its inflorescence is compounded, fasciculated, is 10–30 centimetres long and composed of a single raceme. It pedicels are oblong and are 0.5 mm long while its lemma is 25–70 millimetres long and is both apical and geniculate. The column of lemma's awn is hispidulous and twisted.
Kangaroo grass - Themeda triandra Themeda triandra

Naming

''Themeda triandra'' was first formally described in 1775 by Peter Forsskål who published the description in ''Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica''. There are many synonyms of this species.
Kangaroo grass - Themeda triandra Ripe seed head. Australia,Eamw flora,Geotagged,Spring,Themeda triandra

Distribution

''Themeda triandra'' is found across Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific. In Australia, it is found in all of the states and territories. It grows predominantly in grassland and open woodland communities. It is a significant species in temperate grasslands in Australia, a habitat considered to be endangered or threatened in various parts of the country.

Uses

The young growth is palatable to stock. ''T. triandra'' seed has been used as a famine food in Africa. It also serves as a food source for several avian species, including the long-tailed widowbird. It is also occasionally used as an ornamental plant.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassMonocots
OrderPoales
FamilyPoaceae
GenusThemeda
SpeciesT. triandra
Photographed in
Australia