Hygrometre Spear Grass

The spear like needles that gives the grass its name

House thatched with Spear Grass

Plate hanger made from Spear Grass

Aami/Sauri or Spear grass (Hetropogon contortus) is an excellent fodder at young stages and used in thatching houses; lands having such grasses used to be protected from grazing, so that thatch grass could be collected. In mid January a festival – Aami Aria marked the beginning of its harvest. This grass is called Hygrometer Grass as the awn length changes on moisture levels helping to drill the seed into the soil. This property was used to make Hygrometer needles in the past. The grass is good for erosion control and soil reclamation.