Summer in Florida means lots of grass and many types of grasses. Before I went to vet school, I had no idea how many types of grasses there were. And we didn’t study the decorative and lawn grasses unless they were useful as food for livestock. One grass that we did study is Egyptian grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium), also known as crowfoot grass, Durban crowfoot, beach wiregrass, or coast buttongrass. It’s native to Africa, but can now be found in much of the tropical and subtropical world. In much of the world, it’s considered a weed, and is even considered invasive in some area since it can out compete some crops, especially maize. In Africa and Asia it is often grown as fodder for livestock, especially in dry or sandy areas. In times of famine Egyptian grass can even be eaten by people. It’s also has some medicinal uses. Here in the United States it is usually planted as either a decorative grass or as a stabilizing plant in disturbed areas. It’s pretty impressive all the ways this beautiful grass can be put to use.