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Synonyms: | |
Common names: | Bhurakwacha (Shona) Feda (Shona) Mbawa (Shona) Natal red-top (English) Nyarumvundwe (Shona) |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Tufted annual or short-lived perennial grass, up to 120 cm. Culms often rooting at the lower nodes. Inflorescence a panicle, broadly ovate in outline. Spikelets laterally compressed, densely hairy, deep red, fading to white. |
Notes: | This species is a familiar and attractive sight along roadsides and forms an important stabilising pioneer in eroding soil. It is similar to Melinis nerviglumis, which is a much stronger, densely tufted perennial grass. |
Derivation of specific name: | repens: creeping |
Habitat: | In disturbed open places, often forming large stands. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 2500 m |
Flowering time: | Sep - Jun |
Worldwide distribution: | Native in Africa and western Asia, but now throughout the tropics and subtropics. |
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 |
Images last updated: | Saturday 23 November 2013 |
Literature: |
Clayton, W.D. (1989). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(3) Pages 116 - 117. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 106. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 96. (Includes a picture). Roodt, V. (2015). Grasses & Grazers of Botswana and the surrounding savanna Struik Nature, South Africa Pages 150 - 151. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 141. Siebert, S. & Mössmer, M. (Editors) (2002). SABONET Southern Mozambique Expedition 2001; Provisional Plant Checklist of the Maputo Elephant Reserve (MER) and Licuati Forest Reserve (LFR) SABONET News 7(1) Page 28. Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Pages 149 - 150. 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 190. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 86. |
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