Themeda triandra aka Red Grass

Themeda triandra, or kangaroo grass, is in the grass family, Poaceae. It is native to Africa and Australia. Its range also spans tropical and subtropical Asia. It grows in grasslands and open woods across this range. In East Africa, it leads some grasslands with Acacia trees. It grows from sea level to high mountain sites. Some sites have a tropical climate with a dry season.

This grass grows slowly in clumps. Its upright stems are called culms. The source gives a height of about 5 feet [1.5 metres]. The wider range on record is 1–6.6 feet [0.3–2 metres]. It is a perennial, which means it lives for years. But it grows as an annual in continental temperate climates. There, it lives for one year. Gardeners also grow it for its looks. Wind moves pollen from flower to flower. Its small seeds are hard to gather for food.

Grow this grass in a sunny spot. It accepts many soil types, but heavy clay suits it less. Yet it often grows on clay in the wild. It prefers a soil pH of 6.5 to 7. It can also cope with values from 5.5 to 7.5. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. Plants can also live through some fires. It grows best at daytime temperatures of 22 to 28°C. The source says it can cope with 15 to 35°C. This does not show its winter hardiness limit.

People use the stems for thatch and to build huts. In Uganda, they use them as part of local huts. Reports from Lesotho say the thatch is poor and short-lived. The stems can also make pulp for paper. People have eaten the seeds when other food was scarce. Records note a traditional use of boiled roots for menstrual pain. This does not prove that use is safe or works. The grass can spread from gardens and take root beyond them.

Wilted stems contain hydrocyanic acid, which puts livestock at risk. Seeds can stick in sheep's fleece and badly harm their skin. These risks matter where gardens meet land used for grazing. Seed dormancy, a resting state, can make new plants hard to grow. Stored seed may need about a year to sprout at its best. Both the embryo and tough outer glumes help keep seeds dormant. The embryo is the young plant within the seed. Glumes are the outer covers that roots must split to sprout. Taking off glumes and adding gibberellic acid can help seeds sprout.