Limpograss |
| Scientific Name: | Hemarthria altissima |
| Cultivars: | Floralta, Bigalta, Redalta, Greenalta (these last
two are not recommended because of lower forage
quality) |
| Growth Habit: | Erect to decumbent, with stolons rooting at
nodes, reddish stems. |
| Life Cycle: | Perennial |
| Origin: | South Africa |
| Production Season: | April-October (extended if no frost) |
| Nutritive Value: | Varies depending on management and variety.
Usually, low in crude protein but medium to
high digestibility.
Mature stocked piled
grass is low in protein concentration (3-5%) |
| Use: | Grazing, hay, haylage, stockpiling
Area in the state planted to limpograss is
approximately 370,500 acres (150,000 has) |
| Herbarium Image: | For an herbarium image click this link. |
Adaptation |
| Soil: | Flatwoods. Sand to clay; moist to wet; seasonally
flooded. |
| pH: | Target 5.5. This grass, however, adapts to very acid soil conditions. |
| Rainfall: | High moisture and rain |
| Temperature: | Warm-season, tropical to Subtropical conditions. |
Management |
| Planting Date: | April-May (if irrigated); best during rainy
season (June-August) |
| Planting Depth: | 2-3 inches |
| Seeding Rate: | 1000 to 1500 lb/acre of stem tops or stolons |
| Seed Cost: | |
| Fertilization: | For fertilization info click this
link |
| Production: | 8 to 10 tons of hay per acre under good
fertility and moisture conditions. |
Notes |
| Spittlebugs are likely to be present if
thatch builds up; insect overwinters in the egg
phase from eggs laid in the dry stems; burning
or close mowing in early spring will control
spittlebugs.Associates well with
Aeschynomene.Manage stubble height to no less
than 12 inches
when rotationally stocking and no less than 16
inches when continuously stocking.Stubble
heights
of 20-24 inches will tend to be trampled by
cattle.Susceptible to 2,4-D or 2,4-D
containing
herbicides like Weedmaster.Poor nesting and
foraging habitat
for quail. |
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