RANGE GRASSES OF HAWAII 



31 



No. 29. PANICUM PURPURASCENS, P. BARBINODE (6, p. 188) 

 Common names: Para grass, panic grass 



Para grass, locally known as "panicum," is a native of Africa 

 (6, p. 189), and was introduced into Hawaii from Fiji in 1902. It is 

 essentially tropical and is generally restricted to the lower elevations. 

 In Guam it is used for the lowland pastures. Para grass is a perennial, 

 with semierect stems often several feet high. It spreads rapidly by 

 means of creeping stems and is ordinarily propagated from cuttings. 



Figure 29— Panicum purpurascens 



Para grass will thrive under extremely wet conditions and will also 

 withstand severe drought. It was originally thought to be only a 

 soiling crop, but it has been found to withstand heavy and continuous 

 grazing. It is now used in fattening paddocks on the H. Greenwell 

 ranch in Kona, Hawaii, the Harold Castle ranch, Oahu, and at 

 Princeville, Kauai. Numerous dairies now cut it for use as one of 

 their principal green feeds. It is used to a considerable extent as a 

 green-manure crop in the local pineapple fields, is of fair palatability, 

 and deserves a place on many Hawaiian ranches as an emergency feed 

 during dry spells. 



