An important subsistence crop, pearl millet is hardy and drought-tolerant. Also known as Cenchrus americanus, it grows well near deserts where the rainfall is low. It has been cultivated in the United States since the 1850s and there are records of this important crop being grown since 2000 B.C.

Asian Rice is one of the world's most important staple crops. This annual grass, which was first domesticated in China centuries ago, accounts for a significant portion of the diet of half of the world's population. Aside from food, this plant is grown for use in wines, medicines, and cosmetics. It is also used in crafts and religious ceremonies worldwide.

The grain of grain sorghum is utilized for human consumption, animal feed, and ethanol manufacturing. It is commonly grown in tropical and subtropical countries, originating in Africa. The grain is used to make liquor, animal feed, and bio-based ethanol, among other things.

Combretum glutinosum is a deciduous shrub native to African savannahs, recognized for its robust, twisted branches and dense foliage. Its leathery leaves adapt well to arid conditions, and the conspicuous yellowish-green flowers exhibit a unique puffball arrangement, attracting various pollinators. During the dry season, combretum glutinosum's thick bark aids in water retention, underscoring its resilience in harsh environments.

Andropogon pseudapricus is a resilient grass native to dry, open landscapes, adapting to harsh conditions with its deep roots and tall, slender stems. Its clumping growth pattern and fluffy seed heads, which appear in the warmer months, aid in dispersal by wind. Gracefully swaying, the plant provides shelter to fauna and stabilizes soil.

The bashful plant forms dense, hostile thickets in damp areas. It tends to take over river and lake shorelines and also regularly invades rice paddies. As a result, bashful plant is considered one of the top 100 most invasive species in the world.

Shea butter is a popular deciduous tree found in savanna habitats and has a wide range of uses. The seeds contain fat (shea butter) that is used in cooking, pastries, moisturizers, soaps, candles, and cosmetics. The bark produces a latex that is used in chewing gum and glue. Both the fruits and flowers are important foods to locals living in savanna habitats.

Native to the African savanna, monkey guava (Diospyros mespiliformis) is an important food source for African animals. Grazing animals typically eat its leaves, while jackals, in particular, are fond of its fruit, leading to another nickname: jackalberry. It frequently grows over termite mounds because the termites aerate the soil around it, while it offers them protection from the sun.

Water pear is an elegant evergreen tree, recognized by its dense canopy of glossy green leaves and small, white fragrant flowers. It thrives in mixed woodland and forest edges, benefitting from nutrient-rich, well-drained soils. Seasonally, it adorns itself with edible purple-reddish fruit, a treat for local wildlife. Its hard, reddish-brown wood is often utilized in construction, showcasing the plant's balance of beauty and utility.

Mitragyna inermis is a tropical tree that thrives in the warm climates of West Africa. Its distinctive feature is the robust and slightly curved seed pods, which do not split open naturally. This deciduous species adapts well to savannah landscapes, characterized by a tall, straight trunk and an open crown with sparse foliage. The leaves of mitragyna inermis are simple and elliptical, offering shade and playing a role in local medicinal practices.

Microchloa indica (Microchloa indica) is a tropical grass that can be found in dry habitats growing in stony soils. The specific epithet, i**ndica, refers to its presence in India, even though microchloa indica is extremely widespread across the tropics.

The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is an important shrub in Africa because it provides edible fruit that grows in many conditions, from arid to flooded climates and in very poor soils. The plant is also used as wood for furniture, tools, and fuel. This tree is truly multipurpose since its sticky gum is also an effective glue.

Egyptian riverhemp is a fast-growing shrub popular both for foraging and for encouraging plant growth. Because egyptian riverhemp is nitrogen-fixing, it can provide nitrogen to neighboring crops, helping farmers increase their yield. Elsewhere, it has been used to help reclaim soil that has become too saline for crop growth.

With its self-supporting growth form, the Setaria helvola has simple, broad leaves with white flowers. It's widely known as a common weed that grows in lawns, sidewalks, and other places. It can grow from 20 cm to well over a meter. All of its leaf blades are hairless on the upper surfaces and can measure up to 30 cm long.

The senegal mahogany is a medium-sized tree native to the tropical regions of West Africa. Its fruit changes from gray to black when ripe and discharges winged seeds to be dispersed by the wind. Its wood, Khaya senegalensis, is used for various purposes, including but not limited to interior trimming, construction, carpentry, and fuel.

Sand crown-berry is a robust, tropical tree that stands out with its reddish-brown bark and elliptical leaves which acquire a glossy green appearance as they mature. This hardy plant often thrives in Savannah landscapes, absorbing the intense sun to bolster its role in traditional medicine, reputed for anti-fever properties. Its resilience against harsh climates is echoed by its firm, upright stance and hearty root system.

A warm-season grass, the sixweeks three-awn is an important forage plant for animals in many dry areas of the world. It's considered a pioneer species that happens to be the first plant to colonize disturbed or bare ground, making it potentially invasive. This grass is used for weaving and thatching in India, while in Africa it's often used as a stuffing for camel saddles.

Egyptian grass is native to Africa and can function to anchor loose soil or sand. Because it always shows up on barren land and grows quickly, it is considered an invasive species in the United States and some other regions.

When there is a famine or a lack of food, the seeds of goosegrass are eaten. This agricultural weed is utilized for cultivated crops, animal feed, and golf courses. It is classified as an environmental weed in various nations. Some Asian countries employ parts of this plant as herbal medicine.

A botanical wonder, senegal saba flaunts its usefulness beyond its aesthetic appeal. It stands as a major economic resource in parts of Africa where its bark serves in producing Puverula, a renowned local cheese. But it doesn't stop within the culinary realm - its latex is frugally used in making rubber. This fascinating plant blooms within the dry savannahs, adding vitality to an otherwise harsh ecosystem.