Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult.

Heteropogon contortus is a tropical, perennial tussock grass with a native distribution encompassing Southern Africa, southern Asia, Northern Australia, Oceania, and southwestern North America. The species has also become a naturalised weed in tropical and subtropical regions in the Americas and East Asia. The plant grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height and is favoured in most environments by frequent burning. The plants develop characteristic dark seeds with a single long awn at one end and a sharp spike at the other. The awn becomes twisted when dry and straightens when moistened, and in combination with the spike is capable of drilling the seed into the soil.

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Perennial herb, in wooded savannah, open forest, and bushland. C. N.: kikilabudi, xangumbe (kb). Uses: building, fibre.

Widespread

Williams E, Elia Ntandu J, Ficinski P, Vorontsova M · CC BY

Native Hawaiians used pili to thatch hale (houses). Ruler Pilikaʻaiea was named after the grass, and his royal house was Pili line (Hale o Pili). It is sometimes sucked by Indigenous Australian communities in the Northern Territory for its sweet liquid.

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