This Grass has class!
Let us tell you a bit about it...
Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a clumping grass successfully used worldwide to prevent erosion, enhance crops and filter out pollutants.
The grass has a dense root system that grows straight down to depths of 5 metres. It can only be planted from new shoots (slips) as the seeds in the flower head are sterile - so it is not a weed!
While it is native to India and the Asian subcontinent, it has been in Australia for over 60 years. Not only is Vetiver drought and flood resistant, it is also salt tolerant and quickly regenerates after fire.
It almost sounds too good to be true, right? But, this is the real deal and there is more...
Vetiver has been successfully used for;
Land stabilisation (dam walls, sand dunes)
Erosion control (cleared, farmed or mined land)
Coastal and wind erosion
Soil regeneration (filtering nitrates, phosphates and other contaminants from soil and ground water)
Stock feed (as a young plant it is high in protein)
Garden Mulch (brilliant for no dig garden beds), and
Permaculture applications (swale stabilisation, soil regeneration, filtering water)
Impressive for one little plant. So how does this amazing grass do all of these things? Well, Vetiver has some unique characteristics making it a far superior option over many other grass and plant species.
Here are a few that might interest you if you have read this far;
Vetiver thrives in sandy, saline, water logged, highly contaminated, extreme acidic and alkaline soils (pH 3.3 – 12.5)
It withstands prolonged periods of flooding and drought (up to 2 months in water and as little as 300ml precipitation per annum)
The crown adjusts itself to ensure it will not be buried alive
It survives ground surface temperatures of -15ºC and air temperatures of 55ºC
It is disease and pest resistant
The crown grows below the surface, to protect itself from fire, grazing and trampling
The strong, thick and stiff shoots can dissipate wind and water energy, trap sediment and control and spread water run off
The Vetiver roots improve soil sheer strength by 45% and increases soil microbial activity, breaking down, absorbing and tolerating heavy metal toxicities, herbicides, pesticides and excess nutrients
Vetiver is a pioneer plant that allows the land to be rehabilitated and re-vegetated.
This grass really does have it all and we at Greenacres want to help you resolve any environmental issues you may be faced with.
Still not convinced? For more information about Vetiver including extensive studies and applications please visit www.vetiver.org. Otherwise, contact us to find out how Greenacres can help you with your Vetiver solution.
