Common Name:

General Information

Ischaemum rugosum is an erect or decumbent, clump-forming perennail grass (annual in drier soils), with branched culms growing 10 - 150cm tall. The culms often root at the lower nodes, sometimes stilt roots are present[, ].
The seed is gathered from wild plants as an emergency food in times of scarcity. The plant is utilized as a source of mulch.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia

Habitat

A weed of low country, swamps, and paddy fields[]. In the Philippines it is found in wet grasslands at sea level but also grows at elevations up to 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of the moist, lowland tropics, though it also occurs at elevations of up to 2,400 metres in the Philippines[, ].
Although a sun-loving plant, it can persist in sites receiving only 30 - 35% of full sunlight. It is particularly well adapted to wet sites, and is often found in rice fields or low lying areas that are periodically flooded. It tolerates acid soils of pH 4.0[, ].
The plant is an opportunistic and effective coloniser of open, disturbed or newly cleared areas. It has become a serious weed in many crops, particularly in rice fields[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. It is eaten in times of scarcity[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

When growing wild, the plant provides suitable material for compost and mulch[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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