Abyssinia Oxytenanthera

Oxytenanthera abyssinica

Native to:
Angola, Benin, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Oxytenanthera
Species:
Oxytenanthera abyssinica
USDA Symbol:
OXAB2

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
1000 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; commonly used in fire-prone African savannas.

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:
thrives in open, dry savanna regions