Eragrostis tremula

Description

A loosely-tufted annual grass, culms to 90 cm high with attractive trembling panicles, of farmland, roadsides and waste places, commonly throughout the Region from Mauritania to N and S Nigeria, and throughout tropical Africa and on to India.The grass is weed in the savanna zone which may at times be a little troublesome. By contrast, it is an important and valuable source of fodder either grazed in pasture or in the rough, or cut for sale as a market produce, or for converting into hay ( Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Kordofan, Sudan etc.). It is much relished by stock either green, or dry, and graziers in Niger aver that their animals produce rich -heavy- milk after grazing it. Indian material is reported to assay at; protein 3.08%, fibre 38.46%, carbohydrate 45-67%, ash 4.84%, fresh weights.The culms, bundled together, are used as hand-brooms for indoor use . The culms may also be used for thatching. In the Region and in Kordofan they are woven together to make mats and cordage.In Central African Republic the leaf-blades bundled together and laid on top of a termite nest are used in a cryptic way to catch the insects.The root possesses a strong caramel-like smell. In time of dearth the seed is collected for eating a practice also known in India.