Dichanthium aristatum (Poir.) C.E. Hubb.

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Dichanthium aristatum

Photo: Mark Hyde
University of Zimbabwe grounds

Dichanthium aristatum

Photo: Mark Hyde
University of Zimbabwe grounds

Dichanthium aristatum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Goodrington Drive, near junction with Glencairn Drive, Sunnridge

Dichanthium aristatum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Lodge 147, Mazvikadei

Dichanthium aristatum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Lodge 147, Mazvikadei

Dichanthium aristatum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Lodge 147, Mazvikadei

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Andropogon aristatus Poir.
Andropogon caricosus subsp. mollicomus (Kunth) Hack.
Andropogon mollicomus Kunth
Andropogon nodosus (Willemet) Nash
Dichanthium caricosum (L.) A. Camus var. mollicomus (Kunth) Haines
Dichanthium nodosum Willemet
Diplasanthum caricosum var. mollicomus (Kunth) Haines
Diplasanthum lanosum Desv.
Lepeocercis mollicoma (Kunth) Nees
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Introduced
Description:
Tufted perennial with short stolons. Culms up to 1.1 m, robust; nodes exposed and glabrous. Inflorescence of 1-5, subdigitate, shortly pedunculate racemes; peduncles and culm below the inflorescence pubescent. Sessile spikelets: lower glume narrowly winged on the lateral keels, without tubercle-based cilia; lower floret barren; upper floret stipitiform, awn c. 22 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets similar in size and shape to the sessile spikelet, male or neuter.
Notes: In Zimbabwe, this introduced species is only known from within the city of Harare where it is locally frequent. It somewhat resembles the much commoner Bothriochloa insculpta but is easily distinguished by the prominent hairs on the culm extending below the base of the inflorescence.
Derivation of specific name: aristatum: bearing a long bristle-like point; aristate
Habitat: In disturbed ground, roadside verges and grassy areas, often in damp places.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Native to India; introduced to Africa, Australia and America resulting from its usage as a fodder grass.
Zimbabwe distribution: C
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: Tuesday 5 July 2016
Literature:

Cope, T.A. (2002). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(4) Pages 40 - 41.

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 102.

Setshogo, M.P. (2000). Notes on the grass subtribe Sorghinae (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) in the Flora Zambesiaca area Kirkia 17(2) Page 143.


Other sources of information about Dichanthium aristatum:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Dichanthium aristatum
Flora of Zambia: Dichanthium aristatum

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Dichanthium aristatum
African Plant Database: Dichanthium aristatum
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Dichanthium aristatum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Dichanthium aristatum
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Dichanthium aristatum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Dichanthium aristatum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Dichanthium aristatum
JSTOR Plant Science: Dichanthium aristatum
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Dichanthium aristatum
Plants of the World Online: Dichanthium aristatum
Tropicos: Dichanthium aristatum
Wikipedia: Dichanthium aristatum


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Dichanthium aristatum.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=108360, retrieved 19 March 2024

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