Panicum coloratum is a species of grass known by the common names kleingrass, blue panicgrass[1] (USA),[2][3]white buffalograss (southern Africa);[1]Bambatsi panic, makarikari grass,[2] and coolah grass (Australia).[1] It is native to Africa,[3] and it has been introduced elsewhere, such as the United States and Australia, and bred into many cultivars.[1]
This plant is variable in appearance.[1] In general, is a perennial bunchgrass which usually has rhizomes. The firm, mostly upright stems grow up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft) tall. The leaf blades are 10 to 30 cm (3.9 to 11.8 in) long.[4] They are green to a waxy blue-green color.[1] The panicles are variable in length.[4] The spikelets are green and purple.[1]
This grass is used as a pasture grass and to make hay.[1] It produces a large amount of forage for animals.[3] It is drought-tolerant and does well in hot climates.[5] This C4 plant can grow on saline soils[6] and requires some of sodium for effective photosynthesis.[7][8] Different cultivars have varying tolerances of sodium.[9] While it makes a good graze for most animals, the grass has occasionally been associated with liver damage and photosensitivity in young ruminants and horses.[3][10][11] This photosensitivity can lead to sunburn, which causes swelling of the head and ears of the animal, a condition commonly called "swellhead".[12]
Cultivars include 'Pollock', 'Bambatsi',[2] 'Bushman Mine', 'Verde',[1] and 'Kabulabula'.[8]
^Seffino, L. García (September 1998). "Salinity effects on the early development stages of Panicum coloratum : cultivar differences". Grass and Forage Science. 53 (3): 270–278. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2494.1998.00139.x.
^Bridges, C. H.; Camp, B. J.; Livingston, C. W.; Bailey, E. M. (November 1987). "Kleingrass ( Panicum coloratum L.) Poisoning in Sheep". Veterinary Pathology. 24 (6): 525–531. doi:10.1177/030098588702400609. PMID3455080. S2CID29404698.
Cornick, JL; Carter, GK; Bridges, CH (15 October 1988). "Kleingrass-associated hepatotoxicosis in horses". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 193 (8): 932–5. PMID3192474.
