Heteropogon contortus (grass)

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Interim profile, incomplete information Taxonomic name: Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv. ex Roemer & J.A. Schultes Synonyms: Common names: herbe à moutons (French) Organism type: grass Heteropogon contortus is a thick, fast growing perennial grass, whose stems reach 1.2 meters high. A native of South Africa, southern Asia, northern Australia and Oceania, it has become a weed in the tropics and subtropics of the American continent and in east Asia . It is abundant in regions where rainfall is less than 800mm. Rarely cultivated, it grows spontaneously wherever grasslands suffer from seasonal fires. It resists fire very well and can lead to the formation of savannahs. Occurs in: agricultural areas, range/grasslands, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands Geographical range Native range: A native of South Africa, southern Asia, northern Australia and Oceania. Known introduced range: Widespread in the tropics. Compiled by: Comité français de l'UICN (IUCN French Committee) & IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Tuesday, 1 April 2008