rooigrass, noun

Origin:
Partial translation of Afrikaans rooigras.
rooigras.
1889 H.A. Bryden Kloof & Karroo 88Much of the lower parts of these hills is clothed with rooi-grass.
1906 F. Blersch Handbk of Agric. 254The best of the rooi grasses belongs to the genus Anthistiria it is closely related to the Australian kangaroo Grass, which is frequently recommended as a grass for pastures.
1907 T.R. Sim Forests & Forest Flora 37The rushes have given place to rooi-grass.
1910 A.B. Lamont Rural Reader 256Rooi grass, with its open, spreading head, is one of the most valuable [native grasses], and takes its name from its red winter colour.
c1911 S. Playne Cape Col. 356The veld is unrivalled for Angora goats..the abundance of ‘rooi’ grass making it excellent for cattle.
1913 H. Glossop Barnes’s S. Afr. Hsehold Guide 316In order of merit come ‘Rooi’ grass (similar, if not identical with the Australian Kangaroo grass), small quick grass,..rib grass.
1933 W. Macdonald Romance of Golden Rand 5After toiling through the tall rooi grass, prickly thorns and the dense mimosa bush the Strubens finally arrived at the Hot Springs.
1966 C.A.W. Guggisberg S.O.S. Rhino 92The dominant grass throughout the..range of the southern white rhino is Themeda triandra, which stands quite high and is popularly known as ‘rooigrass’.
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18891966