Blue grass (N. American name), cerrillo (Spanish name), common thatching grass (S. African name), coolati grass (Australian name)

Originally found across the Mediterranean, east to Iran, and along the E. African coast to South Africa. Hypparrhenia has now been introduced to many other parts of the world. It is an excellent colonizer of hot, dry, bare ground.

This is a much taller species than the native grasses and frequently grows in dense stands up to 1.3 metres high. The stems may be branched, and the flowers are arranged in paired spikes. Each flower is furry, with a long crooked hair-like awn.

Hyparrhenia occurs at middle altitudes on Ascension, along gullies or on open, barren hillsides. It is sporadically distributed, but sometimes forms large     

meadow-like patches. Elsewhere in the

world it is valued for use in soil stabilization and as forage for livestock on areas where little else will grow. This may be why it was originally brought to the island. The first record was by H.J. Gordon in 1888. 

                                                                                                     Hyparrhenia hirta - www.fao.org     
 
Hyparrhenia hirta, close-up – Phil Lambdon

Thank you!

The Conservation staff would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Elizabeth Hill for her long term voluntary work, enthusiasm and dedication to Conservation’s Endemic Plant Species Restoration Programme. We wish Mr and Mrs Hill, a fond farewell and best wishes for the future. - Bon Voyage!

Elizabeth Helping with Endemic Plant Count on Sisters Peak Area

Also the Ascension Island Turtle Group would like to thank OMMI Crew for their kind donation from their Fund raising efforts. A total of £70 was donated and which will help towards the monitoring of the Green Turtles.