30 



BULLETIN 65, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 



No. 28. PANICUM MAXIMUM (6, p. 188) 

 Common name: Guinea grass 



Guinea grass, a native of Africa (6, p. 191), was collected on Oahu 

 in 1903. It is an erect, tufted perennial growing 3 to 6 feet or more 

 tall, and although primarily a soiling crop is regarded in Cuba as one 



Figure 28. — Panicum maximum 



of the best pasture grasses. It tillers strongly, is one of the heaviest 

 yielding grasses, and recovers quickly after having been cut. _ Although 

 harsh and coarse, guinea grass is palatable and nutritious when 

 immature, and should be more widely grown on ranches in Hawaii 

 for soiling purposes and for pasture in both wet and dry districts. 

 It is being planted in the Puna district, Hawaii, and is growing well 

 on Gouveia's ranch, Kona, where it is intercropped with koahaole 

 (Leucaena glauca). 



