Dactyloctenium aegyptium
Encyclopedia
Dactyloctenium aegyptium, or Egyptian crowfoot grass is a member of the family Poaceae
native in Africa. The plant mostly grows in heavy soils at damp sites.
in Africa
, this little-known grain has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.
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Poaceae
The Poaceae is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of flowering plants. Members of this family are commonly called grasses, although the term "grass" is also applied to plants that are not in the Poaceae lineage, including the rushes and sedges...
native in Africa. The plant mostly grows in heavy soils at damp sites.
Description
This grass creeps and has a straight shoot which are usually about 30 centimeters tall.Food
Dactyloctenium aegyptium is still a traditional food plant used as a famine foodFamine food
A famine food or poverty food is any inexpensive or readily-available foodstuff used to nourish people in times of extreme poverty or starvation, as during a war or famine...
in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, this little-known grain has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.
Invasive species
In other areas of the world, including parts of the United States, the grass is considered a weed and invasive speciesInvasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
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