Kangaroo Grass

Themeda triandra

Also known as: Themeda japonica

Native to:
Algeria, Andaman Is., Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Hainan, India, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon-Syria, Lesotho, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Themeda
Species:
Themeda triandra
USDA Symbol:
THTR8

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jul,aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
red, purple, brown

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, orange, copper
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Highly fire-adapted; resprouts vigorously from the base after burning. Fire promotes tillering and removes accumulated dead material.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers open grasslands and savannas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily with warmth and moisture. Light may improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI