Hyparrhenia hirta

From Self-sufficiency
Jump to: navigation, search
Hyparrhenia hirta
File:Hyparrhenia hirta espiguetes albellatge.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Hyparrhenia
Species: H. hirta
Binomial name
Hyparrhenia hirta
(L.) Stapf

Hyparrhenia hirta is a species of grass known by the common names common thatching grass and Coolatai grass. It is native to much of Africa and Eurasia, and it is known on other continents as an introduced species. In eastern Australia it is a tenacious noxious weed.[1][2] In South Africa, where it is native, it is very common and one of the most widely used thatching grasses.[3] It is also used for grazing livestock and weaving mats and baskets.[3]

This is a perennial grass forming clumps 30 centimeters to one meter tall with tough, dense bases sprouting from rhizomes. The inflorescence atop the wiry stem is a panicle of hairy spikelets with bent awns up to 3.5 centimeters long. The grass can grow in a variety of habitat types, in dry conditions, heavy, rocky, eroded soils, and disturbed areas.

References

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

External links


  1. New South Wales Flora
  2. Chejara, V.K., et al. (2008). Factors affecting germination of Coolatai grass (Hyparrhenia hirta). Weed Science 56:4 543-48.
  3. 3.0 3.1 PlantzAfrica