Elephant grass is generally used as forage, as ornamental plant and for erosion control; however, it is edible and is enjoyed as food in some parts of Igbo land, where it has been a traditional relish from prehistoric times.

Can humans eat elephant grass?

Elephant grass is a very important forage in the tropics due to its high productivity. Elephant grass is a multipurpose plant. The young leaves and shoots are edible by humans and can be cooked to make soups and stews (Burkill, 1985).

What are the health benefits of elephant grass?

The addition of Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass) has beneficial effects on antioxidant ability and immune function in gestating sows. Pregnant sows suffer from a variety of physiological stress conditions, which can adversely affect the sow and their performance.

Why is elephant grass called elephant grass?

Its ease of regeneration and high productivity make it perfect for the feeding of cattle, amongst other crop-eating creatures. It is also an essential source of forage for elephants throughout Africa, hence its name “elephant grass”.

Why do farmers grow elephant grass?

Miscanthus (commonly known as Elephant Grass) is a high yielding energy crop that grows over 3 metres tall, resembles bamboo and produces a crop every year without the need for replanting. Miscanthus is predominantly used for feedstock production for both energy and non-energy end uses.

Which animals eat elephant grass?

What organisms eat elephant grass? Zebras, and lots of other grazing animals eat elephant grass too. It’s called elephant grass because it’s a convenient height for elephants to eat. Carnivores (lions, hyenas, leopards) feed on herbivores (impalas, warthogs, cattle) that consume producers (grasses, plant matter).

Which grass grows so tall it is called elephant grass?

Napier grass is an improved fodder grass that produces a lot of high-protein forage. It is also known as “elephant grass”, “Sudan grass” or “king grass”. Its botanical name is Pennisetum purpureum. Napier grass is best suited to high rainfall areas, but it is drought-tolerant and can also grow well in drier areas.

What are the uses of guinea grass?

Use for pasture, silage and hay Guinea grass is well suited for cut-and-carry systems and can be used for making silage and hay. Guinea grass can be managed as a long-term pasture grass if grazed consistently, but it should not be grazed under 35 cm height, nor under very wet conditions (FAO, 2009).

What is the scientific name for elephant grass?

Elephants are the ultimate vegetarians. They are herbivores that live on an incredibly varied diet that changes with the seasons. Elephants spend their days eating: Grass, especially the thick elephant grass that’s almost two metres high.

Where is elephant grass from?

Elephant grass is a tall grass that originally came from Africa in 1913. It grows in dense clumps of up to 10 feet tall. In the savannas of Africa it grows along lake beds and rivers where the soil is rich.

Where is elephant grass native to?

Pennisetum purpureum, often commonly called napier grass, cane grass or elephant grass, is a large, tender perennial grass native to tropical and sub-Saharan Africa but has been widely introduced to tropical and subtropical regions around world as a forage crop and ornamental grass.

What is elephant grass used for in the UK?

Currently only one hybrid type of miscanthus is grown and used in the UK for combustion for low-carbon electricity generation. But the versatile plant could replace fossil fuels in many other applications, including in home insulation and the manufacture of vehicles.

Is miscanthus profitable?

Miscanthus facts and figures Terravesta, which offers growers long-term contracts to grow and sell the crop, suggests growers can make an average net profit of of £530.85/ha over a 15-year period based on a mature yield of 14/t/ha. There is currently no specific grant funding available to help pay for establishment.

Is miscanthus good for wildlife?

Miscanthus is fast growing, which helps with its efficiency as a biomass crop. It also grows densely, and to a height of 3 metres, which can shade out all other competing plant growth. This reduces potential food plants for wildlife, particularly invertebrates, in the centre of the field.