Dactyloctenium giganteum is a robust, clump-forming annual grass. The culms are up to 160cm tall (and rarely less than 70cm), erect or geniculately ascending, sometimes rooting from the lower nodes. The edible seed is sometimes harvested from the wild (usually only in times of shortage) and consumed locally.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitat

Usually found in sandy soils, on Kalahari Sands, in sandy dambos and vleis, and in river-bank sandy alluvium. Frequently a weed of irrigated land at low altitudes, and common on disturbed ground at roadsides and in old cultivated fields.

Cultivation Status

Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the drier tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 30°C, but can tolerate 2 - 42°C. It can be killed by temperatures of -6°C or lower, though new growth can be damaged at -1°C. Requires a sunny position. Favours light, sandy soils in the wild. Requires a well-drained soil. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 – 7. The plant can commence flowering within 30 - 45 days of germinating, and ripens its seed in 60 - 80 days.

Edible Uses

Seed – cooked.
The seeds are lightly roasted in order to soften them, then pounded or ground into flour. The flour is used in making uji, or ugali, which is eaten with vegetables or meat during famine periods.

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed