Family: Poaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Mant. Pl. 1: 30 (1767)
Year: 1767
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Panicum
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Egypt to S. Africa
Description
Klein grass, scientifically known as Panicum coloratum, is a resilient and versatile plant species belonging to the Poaceae family. This grass has garnered attention for its adaptability and nutritional benefits, making it a valuable resource in both agricultural and environmental contexts.
Native to the regions spanning from Egypt to Southern Africa, Klein grass thrives in a variety of climates, particularly excelling in arid and semi-arid environments where other grasses might struggle. This adaptability is one of the primary reasons it is cultivated in diverse locations beyond its native range.
Klein grass is characterized by its robust root system, which allows it to access deep water reserves, rendering it particularly drought-resistant. This resilience not only makes it a reliable forage crop during dry seasons but also contributes to soil stabilization and erosion control. As a forage grass, it is prized for its high nutrient content, providing a rich source of feed for livestock. The grass’s palatability ensures that it is readily consumed by a variety of grazing animals, promoting healthy growth and weight gain.
In agricultural systems, Klein grass serves both as a pasture grass and as a component of hay production. Its growth pattern, which includes a rapid regrowth after grazing or cutting, supports frequent harvests, thereby offering a consistent supply of fodder for livestock farmers. Furthermore, its ability to thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions makes it an excellent candidate for rehabilitating degraded lands.
Beyond its agricultural uses, Klein grass also plays an important role in ecological conservation. Its extensive root network helps in binding the soil, reducing the risk of erosion, and maintaining soil structure. This, in turn, supports the overall health of the ecosystem by preserving topsoil and preventing the loss of vital nutrients.
Overall, Klein grass (Panicum coloratum) stands out as a highly adaptable and beneficial species within the Poaceae family. Its contributions to agriculture, particularly in areas prone to drought, along with its environmental benefits, make it a critical plant for sustainable land management and productive agricultural practices.
Common Names
Eng: coolah grass, klein grass, kleingrass, small buffalo grass, white buffalo grass
Heb: dohan mak’hil, דוחן מכחיל
En: Klein grass, White buffalo grass, Coolah grass, Small buffalo grass, Kleingrass
He: Dohan mak’hil, דוחן מכחיל
Synonyms
- Panicum crassipes (Mez)
- Panicum nehruense (Jauhar & Joshi)
- Panicum simpliciflorum (Jauhar & Joshi)
- Panicum bossii (Tropea)
- Panicum jainii (Karthik. & Sundararagh.)
- Panicum subalbidum var. tuberculosum (Chiov.)
- Panicum swynnertonii (Rendle)
- Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense (Gooss.)
- Panicum coloratum var. minus (Stapf ex Chiov.)
- Milium coloratum ((L.) Moench)
- Panicum coloratum var. strictum (Rendle)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Chad (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Free State (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- Nigeria (introduced)
- Oman (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Palestine (introduced)
- Saudi Arabia (introduced)
- Solomon Is. (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Yemen (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Dec 22, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 12, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 12, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 12, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Feb 27, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Villien Philippe (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2020 by Antonel Ola (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2016 by alireza radfar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 12, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 15, 2022 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Dec 22, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705092)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:410989-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Panicum coloratum L.)
