Botanical Name
Common Name
Herringbone grass
Plant Type
The short brown racemes of flowers curve upwards making a herringbone pattern thus the common name.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Mahem’s Crest, Toothbrush grass
Plant Type
Rendlia altera is a short, densely tufted, perennial grass with short inflorescence, which is one sided and a reddish brown colour borne in summer.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Red autumn grass
Plant Type
Schizachyrium sanguineum is a hardy, robust, tufted perennial grass. The attractive feature of this grass is the beautiful red colour the whole plant turns into in autumn.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Vlei bristle grass
Plant Type
Setaria incrassata, or vlei bristle grass, is normally found where it is moist such as marshes and riverbanks. It does well in a clayey soil. The flowering season is very long. It is a great favourite of birds.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Broad-leaved bristle grass
Plant Type
Setaria megaphylla has beautiful, pleated leaves and it does very well in shade. Attracts myriads of seed eating birds to the garden. It can become quite tall if planted in the sun.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Golden bristle grass
Plant Type
The compact form of Setaria sphacelata and relative small size make it ideal for the garden, especially in a grassland. Birds love the seed.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Ratstail dropseed
Plant Type
Sporobolus africanus is a tufted grass that has exceptionally long culms that could form a nice contrast if planted correctly or it could be used as a screen. It is best displayed in clumps.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Red dropseed
Plant Type
The small size of Sporobolus festivus and the loose, pink inflorescence make it an ideal candidate for the smaller garden. The birds love the seed.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Fringed dropseed
Plant Type
Sporobolus pectinatus is a tufted grass that is normally found in open grassland on shallow soil. It is particularly abundant on dolomitic soils.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Fibrous dropseed
Plant Type
Sporobolus stapfianus is a short, fine, tufted grass with beautifully rolled leaves. When in flower, it almost creates a misty look Due to its size, it is an ideal grass for a small rockery.