| Panicum coloratum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
| Genus: | Panicum |
| Species: | P. coloratum |
| Binomial name | |
| Panicum coloratum | |
Panicum coloratum is a species ofgrass known by the common nameskleingrass,blue panicgrass[1] (USA),[2][3]white buffalograss (southern Africa);[1]Bambatsi panic,makarikari grass,[2] andcoolah grass (Australia).[1] It is native to Africa,[3] and it has beenintroduced elsewhere, such as the United States and Australia, and bred into manycultivars.[1]
This plant is variable in appearance.[1] In general, is a perennial bunchgrass which usually hasrhizomes. The firm, mostly upright stems grow up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft) tall. The leaf blades are 10 to 30 cm (3.9 to 11.8 in) long.[4] They are green to a waxy blue-green color.[1] Thepanicles are variable in length.[4] The spikelets are green and purple.[1]
This grass is used as a pasture grass and to makehay.[1] It produces a large amount of forage for animals.[3] It isdrought-tolerant and does well in hot climates.[5] ThisC4 plant can grow on saline soils[6] and requires some of sodium for effectivephotosynthesis.[7][8] Different cultivars have varying tolerances of sodium.[9] While it makes a good graze for most animals, the grass has occasionally been associated withliver damage andphotosensitivity in youngruminants and horses.[3][10][11] This photosensitivity can lead tosunburn, which causes swelling of the head and ears of the animal, a condition commonly called "swellhead".[12]
Cultivars include 'Pollock', 'Bambatsi',[2] 'Bushman Mine', 'Verde',[1] and 'Kabulabula'.[8]