Common Name:

General Information

Axonopus compressus is a robust, stoloniferous grass with flowering stems that can be up to 45cm tall. The leaves, however,generally form a dense mat that seldom reaches a height of more than 15cm[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It forms a dense mat of growth and responds well to cutting. It is often used as a lawn, makes a good ground cover under tree crops and can be used to stabilize the soil.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widely distributed throughout S. America (absent in Chile), C. America, the Caribbean and southern N. America.

Habitat

Sub-humid and humid woodland and savannah, flourishing in moist soils[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics and humid subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,300 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 30°c, but can tolerate 16 - 35°c[]. The plant has some tolerance to frost - although the tops may be damaged it is able to regrow from the base[, ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 4,000mm, but tolerates 775 - 5,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, but is able to tolerate considerable shade[]. Prefers a well-drained, medium to light soil of moderate fertility, but can tolerate heavier soils and low fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6, tolerating 5 - 7[].
The plant can escape from cultivation and become a weed[, ]. It is considered to be invasive in many areas, especially in the moister lowland tropics and near the equator[, ].
Plants can flower and produce seed all year round[]
The plant is reported to have an ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through associated micro-organisms[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is used as an ingredient in a curative herbal bath[]. The plant is used to treat heart problems[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good lawn grass, it can also be used for controlling soil erosion, though caution should be exercised since it can become a troublesome weed[]. It is often allowed to grow as a soil cover under the dense shade of established oil palm and rubber plantations[]. It is frequently noted as being one of the most persistent and productive native grasses in plantations and will persist under heavy shade where introduced grasses may not survive[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Division of the rhizomes

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