Family:
Poaceae
Bothriochloa macra
Red-leg Grass
Other Names: Red Grass
Regional Subspecies:
Occurrence:
Regional:
Widespread throughout region.
Habitat & Site Selection:
Drier open forests. Also low-lying sites prone to brief, infrequent flooding. Tolerates severe drought. Low to moderate frost tolerance.
Habit:
Perennial, tufted grass with basal leaves. Numerous wiry stems and reddish purple flowering stems, 30-50 cm high, mostly summer. Summer-growing. Appears red/purple after frost.
Seed Collection:
Late Dec to early Feb.
Propagation:
From seed, or division of tussock. Seedlings may establish slowly.
VALUES:
Ornamental:
Useful garden ornamental. Rejuvenate old plants by pruning severely or burning, and water heavily to encourage new growth.
Other:
Moderate forage value. Increases under grazing pressure and increased fertility (widespread in overgrazed pastures).