Quick facts
| Arabic name | النصي |
|---|---|
| English name | Nasi (Feather Grass) |
| Scientific name | Stipagrostis plumosa |
| Family | Grass family (Poaceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial desert grass |
| Height | Usually 30 to 60 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
Harvest
Not harvested
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
Grows in thick clumps with thin leaves and feathery silver heads for most of the year.
Where it grows
On sand and sandy plains of the Northern Borders and deserts across Saudi Arabia.
Soil
Shallow sandy and silty-sand soil. Handles salt.
Water and irrigation
No watering needed once settled.
Climate and light
Handles heat and light frost.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Good grazing for animals
- Holds sand and stops erosion
- Used in projects to restore grazing land
Drawbacks
- Harmed by overgrazing
- Grows slowly in dry seasons
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Stipagrostis plumosa
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Stipagrostis plumosa
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)