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Napier grass

Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.

Family: Poaceae · Genus: Pennisetum

elephant grass, Uganda grass

Placenta II Medium Mulch biomass 🪓 Coppices after cutting
Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY · Wikimedia Commons

Perennial African grass introduced to Brazil in 1920. Forms vigorous clumps reaching 3–5 m and is one of the main biomass-producing species in syntropic systems: cut to the ground several times a year, it returns a large volume of mulch to the agroforestry row.

📚 Synonyms

Scientific synonyms: Cenchrus purpureus

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Placenta II
Ecological role
Pioneer
Primary stratum
Medium
Strata
Medium, Low
Biomass class
Mulch biomass

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Soil pH range
4.5–7.5
Preferred soil texture
Loamy, Clayey, Sandy
Hardiness zones
9–13

Morphology

Mature height
3–5 m
Recommended spacing
0.5–1 m
Root system
Fibrous
Root depth
Medium
Growth rate
Very fast
Lifespan
5–15 years

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Napier grass takes the Medium stratum in the Placenta II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High Medium · ≈5 m Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

Plant by stem cuttings (2–3 nodes) or clump division, in full sun. Typical syntropic spacing: 0.5–1 m within the row. Tolerates poor soils but responds well to organic fertilisation.

✂️ Management & Pruning

Cut at 10–15 cm above ground every 60–90 days during the growing season. Chop and leave as mulch on the row — biomass is the species' primary role.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: March, April, May, June

❓ Frequently asked questions

What spacing is recommended for Napier grass?

The recommended spacing for Napier grass is 0.5–1 m.

How tall does Napier grass grow?

At maturity, Napier grass reaches 3–5 m tall.

When does Napier grass flower?

Flowering of Napier grass occurs in March, April, May, June.

What stage and stratum does Napier grass occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, Napier grass belongs to the placenta ii stage, occupying the medium stratum.

Functions

🌿 Biomass producer Ground cover Fodder

Propagation

Cutting, Division

Citations

  1. Embrapa — BRS Capiaçu / cultivares de capim-elefante (height_min_m, height_max_m, growth_rate)
  2. Pennisetum purpureum — Wikipédia (family, genus, scientific_name)
  3. Cenchrus purpureus — Wikipedia (synonyms, description)

External references

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