| DESCRIPTION: A variable grass, with a root system down to 4.5 m deep. Culms 2-3 (-4 m) tall, and 3-5 cm thick at base. Leaf-blade to 1.5 m long and 9-35 mm wide. Inflorescence 10-20 (-30) cm long. USE: Used for forage (well-managed pasture, green-chop, cut and carry, hay or silage), soil conservation and as an ornamental. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Bullgrass. FURTHER INF: Native of America between 42°N-24°S and from near sea level to 2100 m. Found in moist undisturbed grasslands, prairies, coastal plains, semi-arid regions, rocky outcrops, openings in forests and on stream, river and marshes edges. Found in areas with annual rainfall from 600-1500 mm. Ppreferring moist, occasionally waterlogged soils, but intolerant of more than 3 weeks of flooding. Average annual temperatures from between 10-24°C. Tops are burnt by heavy frost, recommencing growth in early spring. Plants survive temperatures as low as -30°C, but require at least 140 frost free days/year for longer-term persistence. Prefers deep, moist, moderately well drained, fertile soils, with textures ranging from sand to clay and pH from 5.5-7.5. It is also adapted to poorly drained soils, but, unlike many species from such situations, has low salt tolerance. DM yields up to 20-30 t/ha/year have been reported. |