Urochloa mosambicensis

Urochloa mosambicensis, commonly known as bushveld signal grass or white buffalo grass, in Afrikaans bosveldbeesgras (bushveld cattle grass), is a tufted, perennial but short-lived grass growing culms to 1,5 m tall. The plant develops creeping stems, stolons that may grow adventitious roots at their lower nodes. This is a palatable grass producing average amounts of foliage.

The species distribution is in the northeast of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal, northern Free State and in most parts north of the Vaal River. This plant was photographed in the Mjejane Game Reserve south of the Crocodile River in April.

An increaser grass, the habitat of U. mosambicensis is grassland and savanna. It is often found on disturbed land or after overgrazing and drought. The plants are preferred in selective grazing by stock and game. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Van Oudtshoorn, et al, 1991; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Lowrey and Wright, 1987; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).