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).