40 BULLETIN 65, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 



No. 38. PENNISETUM PURPURETJM (10, p. 25) 

 Common names: Napier grass, elephant grass 



Napier grass, a native of tropical Africa (10, p. 25), was introduced 

 into Hawaii about 1916. A tropical grass, it can be grown in the 

 warmer parts of the Temperate Zones. It is best suited to moist con- 

 ditions and rich soil, where it sometimes grows 12 to 14 feet high. 

 However, it is comparatively drought resistant and makes a fair 

 growth on poor soils. It tillers extensively, ratoons freely, and in 

 Hawaii can be cut the year around. Like other very heavy-producing 

 soiling crops, it imposes a heavy drain on the soil and \iltimately re- 



Figuee 38. — Pennisetum purpureum 



quires fertilization to maintain yield. Although seeding fairly well 

 at lower altitudes, it is most easily propagated by means of cuttings. 

 It is one of the most important soiling crops in Hawaii and it is now 

 rather extensively planted for pasturage. For pasturing the field 

 should be rested until the grass is about three-fourths grown. It 

 may then be heavily stocked, has a high carrying capacity, and with- 

 stands pasturing well. It is very palatable and nutritious, and cattle 

 come off it in prime condition. It is considered the best fattening 

 grass for the wet districts of Maui. 



Merker grass is a form of elephant grass, having a greater number 

 of more narrow and erect leaves, and stems showing more white 

 "bloom," and less hairy than those of Napier grass. 



