Andropogon gayanus

Andropogon gayanus[1] (gamba grass, Rhodesian bluegrass, tambuki grass)[2] is a species of grass native to most of the tropical and sub-tropical savannas of Africa.[3]

Andropogon gayanus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Andropogon
Species:
A. gayanus
Binomial name
Andropogon gayanus

Description

This tufting perennial bunchgrass can grow 4 metres (13 ft) tall and 70 centimetres (2.3 ft) in diameter.

Invasiveness

Gamba grass has been declared a noxious species in Australia, where it forms dense patches, out-competing native species and altering ecosystems. Areas of dense infestation have a significantly higher fire risk than native pastures.[4][5][6]

Professor Bowman of the University of Tasmania has suggested [7] that African elephants should be introduced to Australia to control the gamba grass there.

References
  1. Kunth, Karl Sigismund (1833). Enumeratio plantarum omnium hucusque cognitarum : secundum familias naturales disposita, adjectis characteribus, differentiis et synonymis. v.1 (1833). Stutgardiae,et Tubingae: sumtibus J.G. Cottae.
  2. "Andropogon gayanus". Tropical Forages. Archived from the original on 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  3. Bowden, B.N. (July 1964). "Studies on Andropogon gayanus Kunth: III. An outline of its biology". Journal of Ecology. 52 (2): 255–271. doi:10.2307/2257594. JSTOR 2257594.
  4. "Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus)". A–Z listing of weeds: Photo guide to weeds. Queensland Department of Primary Industries.
  5. Lesley Head, Jennifer Atchison. 2015. Governing invasive plants: Policy and practice in managing the Gambagrass (Andropogon gayanus) – Bushfire nexus in northern Australia. Land Use Policy 47: 225–234
  6. Neale, Timothy (2019-10-02). "A Sea of Gamba: Making Environmental Harm Illegible in Northern Australia". Science as Culture. 28 (4): 403–426. doi:10.1080/09505431.2018.1552933. ISSN 0950-5431.
  7. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/rewilding/4797634 Rewilding: should we introduce lions and Komodo dragons to Australia?


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