An introduction to the grasses of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Abstract

Ethiopia together with Eritrea has a rich grass flora comprising over 600 species. Grasses typical of each of the vegetation types found in the area are discussed. Grasses from specialised edaphic conditions are considered, and also weed, pasture and lawn grasses. The paper concludes with a section on the importance of the Ethiopian highlands as a world centre of diversity for cultivated plants, with notes on indigenous cereal crops.

Key words/phrases: Ethiopia, Grasses, Grassland, Poaceae