Heteropogon contortus

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in tropical and subtropical regions, being naturally found in savannah grasslands in areas of moderate rainfall where it is seasonally warm and wet, then cooler and dry^[1]. It is found mainly in areas with an annual rainfall in the range of 600 - 1,100mm, tolerating lower rainfall when growing on deep sands of drainage lines; and tolerating higher rainfall when growing in well-drained sites^[1]. Grows on a wide range of well to moderately free-draining soil types^[1]. Established plants are relatively drought-tolerant, but are intolerant of prolonged waterlogging or high salinity^[1]. The plant has escaped from cultivation and become a noxious weed in some areas. It appears not to have been a climax dominant, but it has become so, particularly in Australia, India and Africa, through habitat disturbance such as heavy grazing and burning^[1].