Durban Grass
Dactyloctenium australe
- Native to:
- Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion, South Africa, Tanzania
Dinesh Valke (www.flickr.com) from Thane, India,Atamari,Nativeplants garden,Nativeplants garden,Macleay Grass Man (www.flickr.com),Harry Rose (www.flickr.com) from Dungog, Australia,Shahid Nawaz Landge,Santha Kumar.G,Vengolis,Du Mortier, B.-C.,Lamson-Scribner, F.,Dumont d'Urville, Jules-Sébastien-César, 1790-1842 Dumont d'Urville, Jules-Sébastien-César, 1790-1842
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Dactyloctenium
- Species:
- Dactyloctenium australe
- USDA Symbol:
- DAAU2
Growth Characteristics
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from stolons after fire; commonly found in fire-prone coastal and grassland habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal regions with sandy soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions without pretreatment. Optimal germination at soil temperatures above 20°C.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI