Bushman Grass

Schmidtia kalaharienis is a grass species native to portions of sub-Saharan Africa. The distribution includes northeast tropical Africa: Chad and Sudan; southern tropical Africa: Angola; and southern Africa: Botswana; Namibia; South Africa (Cape Province). It often is associated with very sandy soils.

Also known by the common name of Bushman grass, this species can attain a height of 90 centimeters, although for its occurrence in more arid areas such as the Namib Desert, a height of 30 to 50 cm is more common. Individuals of this species are generally covered with minute glandular hairs. The inflorescence consists of small spikelets containing five awns. This grass is palatable to livestock and is often a staple food of cattle and goats belonging to some present day nomadic peoples.