GRASSES OF THE WATERBERG
Grasses (Poaceae) occur worldwide, number 9000-10000 species globally, and they play a major role both in ecosystem function and as essential sources of food for humanity – one needs think no further than maize, rice, wheat, sugar cane and barley, all of which are grasses. About 870 species occur in South Africa and about 220 of these are found in the Waterberg. The southern African species are described in detail in Fish, Mashau, Moeaha & Nembudani (2015) Identification guide to southern African grasses – an identification manual with keys, descriptions & distributions. Strelitzia 36. It is available as a downloadable PDF from the SANBI website. Names used below follow this reference, and the species included are those collected and pressed by Richard Wadley from Moletadikgwa Wildlife Sanctuary near Melkrivier.
Species are listed below alphabetically.
List of Grasses of the Waterberg
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Acroceras macrum Nile grass Nylgras |
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Agrostis continuata |
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Alloteropsis semialata ssp eckloniana Blackseed grass Donkersaadgras |
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Alloteropsis semialata ssp semialata |
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Andropogon appendiculatus Vlei bluestem Vleiblougras |
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Andropogon chinensis Hairy bluegrass Tweevingergras, Harige-blougras |
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Andropogon eucomus Snowflake grass Kleinwitbaardgras, Kapokgras |
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Andropogon fastigiatus |
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Andropogon huillensis Large silver andropogon, Old man’s beard Grootwitbaard andropogon, Rietgras |
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Andropogon schirensis Stab grass Tweevingergras, Gesteekte-gras |
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Anthephora pubescens Wool grass Borseltjiegras |
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Aristida adscensionis Annual brittle grass/three-awn Eenjarige steekgras |
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Aristida aequiglumis Curly-leaved three-awned grass |
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Aristida bipartita Rolling three-awn Grootrolgras, Lossteekgras |
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Aristida canescens ssp canescens Pale three-awl Vaalsteekgras |
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Aristida congesta ssp barbicollis Spreading three-awn Lossteekgras, Witsteekgras |
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Aristida congesta ssp congesta Tassel three-awn grass Katstertsteekgras |
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Aristida diffusa Iron grass Ystergras, Koperdraadgras |
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Aristida effusa |
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Aristida junciformis ssp junciformis Ngongoni three-awn Ngongoni-steekgras |
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Aristida meridionalis Giant three-awn Langbeensteekgras |
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Aristida mollissima ssp argentea |
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Aristida pilgeri |
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Aristida rhiniochloa Large-seeded three-awn Skurwesteekgras |
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Aristida scabrivalvis ssp contracta |
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Agrostis continuata |
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Aristida scabrivalvis ssp scabrivalvis Purple three-awn Pers-steekgras |
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Aristida spectabilis Bergsteekgras |
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Aristida stipitata ssp graciliflora Long three-awned grass Langnaaldsteekgras |
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Aristida stipitata ssp stipitata Long three-awned grass Langnaaldsteekgras |
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Aristida transvaalensis Rock three-awns |
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Arundo donax Giant reed Spaanseriet |
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Bewsia biflora False lovegrass Blousaadgras, Vals-eragrostis |
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Bothriochloa bladhii Purple plumegrass Persklossiegras, Blouklosgras |
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Bothriochloa insculpta Pinhole grass Klosgras, Stippelgras |
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Bothriochloa radicans Smelly grass Stinkgras |
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Brachiaria bovonei Wiry signal grass |
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Brachiaria brizantha Common signal grass Broodsinjaalgras |
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Brachiaria deflexa False signal grass Bastersinjaalgras |
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Brachiaria eruciformis Sweet signal grass Litjie-sinjaalgras |
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Brachiaria nigropedata Black-footed signal grass, Spotted signal grass Swartvoëltjiegras, Wurmsinjaalgras |
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Brachiaria serrata Velvet/Redtop grass Fluweel/Rooisinjaalgras |
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Cenchrus biflorus Rock three-awn Klipsteekgras |
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Cenchrus ciliaris Blue/Foxtail buffalo grass Bloubuffelsgras |
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Chloris gayana Rhodes grass Rhodesgras |
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Chloris pycnothrix Spiderweb grass Spinnerakgras |
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Chloris roxburghiana |
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Chloris virgata Feathered chloris Klossiegras, Witpluim-chloris |
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Chrysopogon serrulatus Golden beard grass Krulgras, Gouebaardgras |
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Ctenium concinnum Sickle grass Sekelgras |
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Cymbopogon prolixus Tamboekiegras |
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Cymbopogon caesius Broad-leafed turpentine grass Lemoengras, Buchugras |
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Cymbopogon nardus Giant turpentine grass Reuse terpentyngras |
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Cymbopogon plurinodis Narrow-leafed turpentine grass Smalblaarterpentyngras |
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Cymbopogon pospischilii Narrow-leafed turpentine grass Smalblaarterpentyngras |
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Cynodon dactylon Couch grass Kweekgras |
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Cynodon nlemfuensis Star grass Stergras |
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Dactyloctenium aegyptium Common crowfoot, Duck grass Hoenderspoor |
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Dactyloctenium australe |
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Dactyloctenium giganteum Giant crowfoot Reuse hoenderspoor, Sterretjiegras |
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Diandrochloa namaquensis |
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Dichanthium annulatum var papillosum Blue gamma, Blue stem, Vlei finger grass Vleivingergras |
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Digitaria brazzae Brown finger grass Bruinvingergras |
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Digitaria ciliaris Tropical finger grass |
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Digitaria debilis Finger grass Vingergras |
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Digitaria eriantha Common finger grass Vingergras |
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Digitaria longiflora False couch finger grass Valskweek |
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Digitaria monodactyla One-finger grass Eenvingergras |
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Digitaria natalensis Coast finger grass |
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Digitaria ternata Blackseed finger grass Swartsaadfingergras |
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Digitaria velutina Long-plumed finger grass, Flaccid finger grass Slapvingergras |
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Diheteropogon amplectens Broad-leafed bluestem Breëblaarblougras |
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Diplacne fusca Swamp grass Kuilgras |
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Echinochloa colona Jungle rice Watergras |
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Echinochloa holubii Kalahari water grass |
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Echinochloa jubata |
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Echinochloa ugandensis |
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Eleusine coracana Goose grass, African finger millet Osgras |
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Elionurus muticus Wire grass, Silky grass Koperdraad, Suurpol, Wildebeestegras |
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Enneapogon cenchroides Nine-awned grass Negenaaldgras |
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Enneapogon pretoriensis |
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Enneapogon scoparius Bottlebrush grass Kalkgras |
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Enteropogon macrostachys Mopane grass |
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Eragrostis acraea |
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Eragrostis amabilis |
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Eragrostis aspera Rough lovegrass Grootpluim-eragrostis |
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Eragrostis barbinodis |
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Eragrostis biflora Two-flowered lovegrass, Shade eragrostis Skadu-eragrostis |
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Eragrostis caesia |
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Eragrostis capensis Heartseed lovegrass Hartjiegras |
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Eragrostis chloromelas Narrow curly-leaf Krulblaar |
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Eragrostis cilianensis Stink lovegrass Stinkgras |
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Eragrostis curvula Weeping love grass Oulandsgras |
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Eragrostis cylindriflora |
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Eragrostis echinochloidae Tick grass Bosluisgras, Krummelgras |
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Eragrostis gummiflua Gum grass Gomgras |
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Eragrostis habrantha Starry love grass |
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Eragrostis heteromera Bronze lovegrass Rooikopergras |
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Eragrostis hierniana |
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Eragrostis inamoena Tite grass |
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Eragrostis lappula |
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Eragrostis lehmanniana var chaunantha |
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Eragrostis lehmanniana var lehmanniana Lehmann’s lovegrass Knietjiesgras |
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Eragrostis micrantha Finesse grass Finessegras |
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Eragrostis nindensis Wether/Perennial lovegrass Hamelgras, Agtdae-pluimgras |
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Eragrostis pallens Broom lovegrass Besemgras |
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Eragrostis patens Annual lovegrass |
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Eragrostis plana Tough lovegrass Taaipol-eragrostis |
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Eragrostis pseudosclerantha Footpath lovegrass Voetpad-eragrostis |
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Eragrostis racemosa Narrow heart love grass Smalhartjie-eragrostis |
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Eragrostis rigidior Broad-leafed curlyleaf, Narrow-heart lovegrass Breëkrulblaar, Smalhartjiesgras |
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Eragrostis rotifer Pearly lovegrass, Vlei lovegrass Vleipluimgras |
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Eragrostis stapfii |
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Eragrostis superba Saw-tooth love grass, Heart-seed love grass Bosluisgras, Weerluis-eragrostis |
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Eragrostis trichophora Hairy lovegrass Harige-pluimgras, Blousaadgras |
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Eragrostis viscosa Sticky love grass Klewerige-eragrostis |
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Eriochloa fatmensis |
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Eriochrysis pallida |
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Eulalia aurea |
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Eustachys paspaloides Fan grass, Red rhodes grass Bruin-hoenderspoor |
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Fingeruthia africana Thimble grass Vingerhoedgras |
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Hemarthria altissima Batavian Quick Grass, Red swamp grass, Swamp couch Perdegras, Rooikweek |
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Heteropogon contortus Spear grass, Tanglehead Assegaaigras, Pylgras |
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Hyparrhenia anamesa Bundle thatching grass Gerftamboekiegras |
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Hyparrhenia cymbaria Boat thatching grass Bootjietambokiegras |
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Hyparrhenia filipendula var filipendula Fine thatching grass Fyntamboekiegras |
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Hyparrhenia filipendula var pilosa Fine thatching grass Fyntamboekiegras |
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Hyparrhenia hirta Common thatching grass Dekgras, Dektamboekiegras |
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Hyparrhenia newtonii Bearded thatching grass |
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Hyparrhenia quarrei |
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Hyparrhenia tamba Blue thatching grass Bloutamboekiegras |
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Hyperthelia dissoluta Yellow thatching grass Geeltamboekiegras |
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Imperata cylindrica Cottonwool grass, Silver-spike Syngras, Donsgras |
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Ischaemum afrum Turf grass Turfgras, Tweevingergras |
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Ischaemum fasciculatum Red vlei grass, Hippo grass Seekoei/Rooivleigras |
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Leersia hexandra |
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Leptocarydion vulpiastrum Spade grass |
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Leptochloa eleusine |
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Leptochloa fusca Swamp grass Kuilgras |
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Lintonia nutans |
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Lophacme digitata |
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Loudetia flavida Pointed russet grass |
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Loudetia pedicellata |
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Loudetia simplex Common russet grass Stingelgras, Besemgras |
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Megathyrsus maximus Guinea grass Gewone buffelsgras, Blousaad-soetgras |
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Melinis nerviglumis Bristle-leaved redtop Steekblaarblinkgras |
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Melinis repens ssp grandiflora Redtop Eenjarige-fluweelgras |
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Melinis repens ssp repens Natal redtop Natal-rooipluim |
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Microchloa caffra Pincushion grass Elsgras |
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Microchloa kunthii Pincushion grass Elsgras |
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Miscanthus junceus Wire-leaf dabagrass, Broom grass Draadblaardabagras, Ruigtegras |
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Monocymbium ceresiiforme Boat grass, Wildoat grass Bootjiegras, Wildehawegras |
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Mosdenia leptostachys |
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Oropetium capense Dwarf grass Haasgras |
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Oryza longistaminata Wild rice |
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Panicum coloratum Small/White buffalo grass Witbuffelsgras |
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Panicum deustum Broad-leaved panicum, Reed panicum Breëblaarbuffelsgras |
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Panicum dregeanum Plum panicum Persbuffelsgras |
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Panicum natalense Natal panicum, Buffalo grass Suurbuffelsgras, Natal buffelsgras |
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Panicum repens Couch panicum Kruipgras |
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Panicum schinzii Sweet buffalo grass Soetbuffelsgras, Blousaadgras |
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Panicum subalbidum Elbow buffalo grass |
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Panicum volutans Rolling grass, Tumbleweed Rolgras |
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Paspalidium obtusifolium |
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Paspalum dilatatum Common paspalum, Dallis grass Gewone paspalum |
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Paspalum distichum Couch paspalum Kweekpaspalum, Bankrotkweek |
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Paspalum scrobiculatum Veld/Creeping paspalum Kropaargras, Dronkgras |
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Paspalum urvillei Vasey grass, Giant paspalum Langbeen-paspalum |
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Pennisetum macrourum Riverbed grass |
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Perotis patens Cat’s tail, Bottlebrush grass, Purple spike grass Katstertgras |
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Phragmites australis Common reed Fluitjiesriet |
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Phragmites mauritianus Lowveld reed Laeveldfluitjiesriet |
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Pogonarthria squarrosa Herringbone grass Sekelgras |
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Sacciolepis typhura Purple-hood grass |
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Schizachyrium jeffreysii Silky autumn grass Harige-herfsgras, Slitgras |
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Schizachyrium sanguineum Red autumn grass Rooidekgras |
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Schmidtia pappophoroides Sand quick Kalaharisandkweek, Valgras |
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Sehima galpinii Yellow turf grass Geelturfgras |
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Setaria incrassata Vlei bristlegrass Vleimannagras |
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Setaria lindenbergiana Mountain bristle grass Randjiesgras, Bergsetaria |
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Setaria megaphylla |
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Setaria nigrirostris Blackseed bristlegrass Swartsaadmannagras |
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Setaria pumila Shade bristlegrass Skadumannagras |
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Setaria sphacelata var sericea Golden bristle grass Goue-mannagras |
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Setaria sphacelata var sphacelata Common bristle grass Gewone mannagras |
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Setaria sphacelata var torta Creeping bristle grass, Twisted-leaf bristle grass Kruipmannagras |
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Setaria verticillata Bur bristlegrass Klitsgras |
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Sorghum versicolor Black-seed wild sorghum Swartsaadwildesorghum/gras |
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Sporobolus africanus Ratstail dropseed Taaipol |
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Sporobolus conrathii |
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Sporobolus festivus Red dropseed Rooi fynsaadgras, Rooigras |
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Sporobolus fimbriatus Bushveld dropseed Bosveldfynsaadgras, Blousaadgras |
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Sporobolus ioclados Pan dropseed Panfynsaadgras |
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Sporobolus nitens Curly-leaved dropseed Krulblaarfynsaadgras |
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Sporobolus panicoides Famine grass, Christmas tree grass |
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Sporobolus pyramidalis Catstail dropseed Katstert-fynsaadgras, Vleigras, Taaipol |
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Sporobolus stapfianus Fibrous dropseed Veselfynsaadgras, Fynblousaadgras |
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Stipagrostis uniplumis varuniplumis Silky bushman grass Blinkblaarboesmansgras |
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Themeda triandra Redgrass Rooigras |
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Trachypogon spicatus Giant spear grass Bokbaardgras, Reuse pylgras |
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Tragus berteroianus Common/Small carrot-seed grass Gewone wortelsaadgras, Ousklits |
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Tragus racemosus Large carrot-seed grass Grootwortelsaadgras |
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Tricholaena monachne Blue-seed grass Blousaadgras |
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Trichoneura grandiglumis Small rolling grass Klein rolgras, Waaigras |
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Tripogon minimus |
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Triraphis andropogonoides Broomneedle grass Besemgras, Perdegras |
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Triraphis schinzii Sandveld broom grass Sandveldbesemgras |
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Tristachya biseriata |
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Tristachya leucothrix Hairy trident grass Harige-drieblomgras |
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Tristachya rehmannii Broom trident grass Besemdrieblomgras |
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Urelytrum agropyroides Centipede/Quinine grass Kinagras, Varkstertgras |
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Urochloa brachyura |
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Urochloa mosambicensis Bushveld signal grass Bosveldbeesgras |
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Urochloa oligotricha Perennial signal grass Meerjarige beesgras |
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Urochloa panicoides Garden signal grass Tuinbeesgras |
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Urochloa trichopus |