Bushman grass

Bushman grass (Schmidtia kalaharienis) is an annual grass that often grows up to 90cm high. A height of 30cm is more common in the drier northern Namib. Characteristic of bushman grass is that the entire plant is covered in glandular hairs. The inflorescence is 'composed of small spikelets' with 5 awns.

This type of grass grows in a number of habitats, common also to sandy soils. It is a palatable grass, readily grazed and used also for hay. There are only 2 species of Schmidtia in Namibia.