Sporobolus helvolus (Trin.) Dur. & Schinz. is a perennial grass of the dry tropics that spreads by means of long stolons, and forms small tufts. It is one of the best grasses on black clay soils of flats and depressions in semi-arid areas (Bogdan, 1977).
Morphological description
Sporobolus helvolus is a perennial grass that forms small tufts. It has long slender stolons that first arise as ordinary shoots and then elongate and root from the nodes at some distance from the mother plant. This is possibly an adaptation that reduces competition with the main tuft (Bogdan, 1977). The culms are thin (about 1 mm in diameter at the base), wiry and grow to a height of 15-60 cm. The leaf blades are flat, 2-10 (-15) cm long, 2-4 mm wide, glaucous, tapering to a filiform tip. The inflorescence is a small panicle, linear to narrowly lanceolate in shape, 4-12 cm long x 5-20 mm wide. The spikelets are 1.4-2 mm long, greenish brown in colour. The seeds are ellipsoid, 0.5 mm long (eFloras, 2016; Bogdan, 1977).
Uses
Sporobolus helvolus is a palatable forage grass that can be grazed (it is particularly relished by camels) or cut for hay. It can be used to control soil erosion and for thatching (Clayton et al., 2006; Bogdan, 1977).
