Cocks foot (Dactylis glomerata)

Local name: Cocks foot

Cocks foot  grows  in  dense perennial tussocks to

20-140 centimeters tall, with  leaves 20-50 cm long and up to 1.5 cm broad, and a distinctive tufted triangular  flowerhead  10-15 cm  long,  which  may be  either  green  or  red  to  purple-tinged  (usually green  in  shade, redder  in  full  sun), turning  pale grey-brown at seed maturity. The spikelet’s are 5–9 mm  long,  typically  containing two  to  five flowers. It has a characteristic flattened stem base which distinguishes it from many other grasses.

Nutritive value

It is a perennial grass containing 7-9% protein at the flowering stage and is thus a maintenance ration.