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Heteropogon contortus (L.) Roem. & Schult. Family: Common names: tanglehead, spear grass (Eng.); pylgras, assegaaigras (Afr.); isitupe (IsiZulu); makurwane (Setswana); selokana, seloka (Sesotho)

A hardy grass that is very attractive and palatable in the early vegetative stages, but becomes less attractive and unpalatable as it matures.

Description

Heteropogon contortus is a rhizomatous perennial, growing from 200 to 1 000 mm high. The greenish grey leaves are usually glabrous or with few hairs. Leaf blade is 30–300 × 3–8 mm, usually folded, with rounded and often hooded apex. Ligules are membranous.

Inflorescences are single, spike-like racemes, with awns appearing to be velvet-like only in the upper half. It has glandless spathes.

Sessile (stalked) spikelet is 5.5–7.0 mm long. The pedicelled (unstalked) spikelet is 8–13 mm long and is glandless. The anther is 3.0–3.5 mm long. The tangle head produces white flowers, and it flowers in summer, from October to June. Conservation Status

According to the Red List of South African , Heteropogon contortus is not threatened, and is listed as Least Concern (LC). Distribution and habitat

Heteropogon contortus prefers tropical and warm temperate regions around the world. It is very widespread in South , occurring in the North-West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the Western and Northern Cape. It also occurs in Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho. This species thrives on poor soils. However, it prefers growing in sandy to clayey loam, well- drained soils, usually on hillsides and among rocks. It is resistant to grass fires.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

The name Heteropogon is derived from the Greek words heteros, meaning ‘different’ and pogon, meaning ‘beard’, in reference to the male spikelet being awnless and the female spikelet being awned. The specific epithet contortus, means ‘tangled’ or ‘twisted’. The genus Heteropogon is quite small, with ± 6 species in tropical and subtropical regions. Only 2 species are found in southern Africa, namely, H. contortus and H. melanocarpus.

Ecology

Like most grass species, the seeds of Heteropogon concortus are dispersed by wind. Animals and humans also aid in the dispersal of seeds when attached by the sharp-pointed tips of the seeds. Uses

Spear grass has been introduced into many parts of the world as a forage grass. After flowering, the sharp-pointed seeds and tangled awns penetrate the woolly coats of sheep, reducing the value of wool. They also cause infections or severe injuries to animals, by piercing through the skin and then into their body cavities. Therefore, it is best grazed or cut for hay or silage early in the summer, when the grasses are still young. Other uses include thatching of huts, weaving mats and control of erosion. Growing Heteropogon contortus

Spear grass often grows naturally in Savanna grasslands. Seasonal fire disturbances play a vital role in clearing up an area (removing competition), for the establishment of seedlings. The twisted awns and the sharp pointed tips of the seeds assist in seed burial in the soil surface. H. contortus grows in areas of lower fertility, fixes its own nitrogen and it does not require much water. Companion grasses include Themeda triandra and Schizachyrium sanguineum. It is rarely sown, but can be propagated from seeds or stem cutting. When cultivated, store fresh seeds for 6–12 months before sowing, as they are still dormant. Seed cleaning is difficult because of the presence of the awn and callus. Sow seed in no deeper than 1 cm, in a seedbed. The most favorable temperature for seed germination ranges between 30 and 35°C. The should be planted in a sunny position and on well-drained soils. It does not require much additional fertilizers, but can be fed with small applications of foliar feeds. Vegetatively, use splits of mature plants. Adequate levels of temperature and soil moisture initiates growth, and is facilitated by significant rainfall. References

 Fish, L., Mashau, A.C., Moeaha, M.J. & Nembudani, M.T. 2015. Identification guide to southern African grasses. Strelitzia 36: 271–276. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.  Fish, L. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Heteropogon contortus (L.) Roem. & Schult. National Assessment: Red List of South African plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 2017/04/26.  Tropical Forages. Forages Factsheets. Heteropogon contortus. http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Heteropogon_contortus.htm Accessed: 2017/04/26.

Cynthia Mikateko Baloyi and Aluoneswi Caroline Mashau Pretoria National Herbarium May 2017 Plant Attributes: Plant Type: Grass SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape Soil type: Sandy, Clay, Loam Flowering season: Early Summer, Late Summer, Autumn PH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral Flower colour: Aspect: Full Sun Gardening skill: Easy Special Features: Useful plant

Horticultural zones

Zone 1 Coastal summer rainfall, frost free Zone 4 Summer rainfall Karoo and Highveld, Frost in winter Zone 5 Bushveld summer rainfall, Light frost