Makarikari grass
(Panicum coloratum var. mararikariense)
- clump species
- very drought resistant
- cold tolerant
- tolerates short-term flooding
- bluish-leaves with white mid-rib.
Makarikari grass cv. Bambatsi grows well in subtropical regions receiving 400-900 mm rainfall, since its deep fibrous root system makes it very drought resistant. It will grow well on red earths and poorly structured salty soils, but does best on heavy black cracking clay soils where it can tolerate periodic flooding, salinity and frost..
Bambatsi has bluish-coloured leaves with a prominent white mid-rib. It can remain greener during winter than other tropical grasses, and is able to produce strong basal shoots in response to winter rain.
Bambatsi is somewhat slow to develop in its first year, but, although very palatable, it can withstand very heavy stocking once well established. It can cause photosensitisation in sheep and goats.
Bambatsi seeds more freely than the other more stoloniferous cultivars, Burnett and Pollock, and is the only seed available now. However, it does not spread readily in the paddock.
