Sporobolus pyramidalis P. Beauv.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Greystone Park NR

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Synonyms:
Common names:	Catstail dropseed (English) Katstert-fynsaadgras (Afrikaans) Narrow-plumed dropseed (English) Taaipol (Afrikaans) Vleigras (Afrikaans)
Frequency:	Common
Status:	Native
Description:	Coarse tufted perennial grass with a strong root-system and unbranched culms, up to 1.5 m. Inflorescence an open panicle of pyramidal shape; inflorescence branches not whorled. Spikelets very small, grey to purple.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	pyramidalis: pyramidal (referring to the inflorescence)
Habitat:	Widespread in disturbed soil and as a weed of cultivated areas, particularly in damp places.
Altitude range: (metres)	Up to 2300 m
Flowering time:	Nov - May
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical Africa, also in South Africa, Yemen, Madagascar and Mauritius and introduced elsewhere (e.g. South America)
Zimbabwe distribution:	N,W,C,E,S
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 365. Chapano, C., Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 34. Cope, T.A. (1999). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(2) Pages 184 - 186. (Includes a picture). Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 501. (Includes a picture). Jackson, G. & Wiehe, P.O. (1958). An Annotated Check List of Nyasaland Grasses The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland Page 61. Roodt, V. (2015). Grasses & Grazers of Botswana and the surrounding savanna Struik Nature, South Africa Pages 196 - 197. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 146. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 192. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 86.

Other sources of information about Sporobolus pyramidalis:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Flora of Caprivi: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Flora of Malawi: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Flora of Mozambique: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Flora of Zambia: Sporobolus pyramidalis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Sporobolus pyramidalis
African Plant Database: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Sporobolus pyramidalis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Sporobolus pyramidalis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Sporobolus pyramidalis
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Sporobolus pyramidalis
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Sporobolus pyramidalis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Sporobolus pyramidalis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network): Sporobolus pyramidalis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Sporobolus pyramidalis
Ispot Southern Africa: Sporobolus pyramidalis
JSTOR Plant Science: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Kew Monocotyledon checklist: Sporobolus pyramidalis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Sporobolus pyramidalis
The Plant List (version 1.1): Sporobolus pyramidalis
Tropicos: Sporobolus pyramidalis