Sporobolus indicus aka Smut Grass

Sporobolus indicus is a grass in the Poaceae family. Its common names include smut grass and West Indian dropseed. Kew places its native range in tropical and subtropical America. It has spread beyond that range and become naturalised elsewhere. Records also place it in Europe, Asia, and Australia. It grows beside roads and on waste ground. Other habitats include savannahs, dry hills, and fields.

This grass forms dense tufts of thin, wiry stems. The stems stand upright and branch as they grow. Useful Tropical Plants lists a height of about 2.5 feet [0.75 metres]. Its fuller account describes stems reaching 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Sources differ on whether the plant is always perennial. PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants both call it a perennial. Kew allows for both annual and perennial forms. Its flowers contain both male and female organs. Wind carries the pollen between flowers.

It grows in warm temperate regions and in the tropics. Give it full sun and soil that drains well. PFAF states that it does not grow in shade. Sandy and loamy soils suit it, including soils low in nutrients. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. It can grow in dry or moist soil. It also tolerates drought, which fits its dry-ground habitats. Yet wet ground does not prevent it from spreading. Useful Tropical Plants reports strong spread in wet and swampy sites. It also spreads where traffic has packed the soil. These traits make weed spread a concern in planted areas.

People collect this grass from the wild for useful materials. They weave its straw into a range of items. The leaves also provide fibre. The seeds have served as food on occasion. They can be eaten raw or cooked, or milled into flour. PFAF gives its food value a low rating. Both use sources report no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for pets or every use.

The sources also record traditional medicinal uses for this grass. These include use for swelling, blood tonics, and gonorrhoea. Some countries have used it to reduce fertility. These records describe past uses, not proof that treatments work. For propagation, PFAF recommends sowing seed in spring under glass. Cover the seed with only a thin layer of soil. Germination may take about two weeks. Spring division offers another way to raise new plants.