Ravenna grass
Saccharum ravennae
Summary 7
Saccharum ravennae, commonly known as ravenna grass and elephant grass, is a species of grass native to the Mediterranean and Africa. It is considered an invasive species in North America and is often considered a noxious weed.
Botanical Information 8
Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae) is a tall, perennial grass that forms clumps of basal leaves called tussocks. Some characteristics include showy flowers, foliage, and seed heads. Leaves occur on stems up to the base of the inflorescence. Flowering stems are erect and can grow 10 to 15 feet tall. The flowers bloom in dense clusters at the tip of the stem with long bristles that are pinkish and turn silver.
Ecological Information 9
Ravenna grass requires dry to medium moisture, and full sunlight. It is commonly found growing around riverbanks, sandbars and marshy areas in the Albuquerque area. Ravenna grass is frost tolerant, deer tolerant, and drought tolerant. Ravenna grass was brought to New Mexico from Africa, and is a tasty treat for elephants. In the Rio Grande Bosque, it is considered a noxious and invasive plant.
Ethnobotanical Information 10
References 9
https://www.finegardening.com/plant/ravenna-grass-saccharum-ravennae
Bosque Field Guide
Cartron, Lightfoot, Mygatt, Brantley, Lowrey. (2008). A Field Guide to the Plants and Animals of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque. (p. 47). New Mexico, University of New Mexico Press.
About the Author 7
Student author(s)*: Breana Wu from Chinook Spirit Children’s Academy
*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/
Sources and Credits
- (c) chinookspirit, all rights reserved
- (c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/10586828966/
- (c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/10587074613/
- (c) albuquerqueherbalism, all rights reserved
- (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/38649960092/
- (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/38626020156/
- Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharum_ravennae
- Adapted by Hannah from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
Range Map
iNat Map
| Color | bronze |
|---|---|
| Uses | ornamental |
| Type | grass |
