Yellow thatching grass (Hyperthelia dissoluta)

Yellow thatching grass is relished by cattle and African buffaloes (Aremu et al., 2008; Bartha, 1970). The cover of yellow thatching grass decreased by 51% when grazed by steers at 0.4-0.55 steer/ha (Denny et al., 1983). In the very early stage of growth it is completely grazed, but in the later stages the stems are usually left ungrazed and the spikelets, pungently bristled, injure the muzzle of stock: only the leaves are eaten (FAO, 2010; Burkill, 1985). In Niger, camels do not graze it at all. However, in Ghana, cattle searching for foliage below inflorescence level have been observed eating it (Burkill, 1985).

In the Limpopo Province, in South Africa, yellow thatching grass is poorly ranked by farmers who consider it as very hard and not eaten by ruminant animals: cattle, goats and sheep (Matlebyane et al., 2010).