Brachiaria fasciculata
(Sw.) Parodi
Poaceae
The genera Brachiaria and Urochloa are closely related, and the two are united by some authors. See Veldkamp, Taxon 45 (1986) 319. However, this unification is not accepted by all authors - see Flora of China Vol 22 pp520-523 2006. We are following the treatment in the Flora of China and the Kew 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families', and treating the two genera as distinct[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Brachiaria and Urochloa are distinguished mainly by habit, Urochloa having rather more flattened, cuspidate spikelets enclosing a pronounced mucro from the upper lemma. The different spikelet orientation is also characteristic, though not obvious when the spikelets are paired. In Urochloa the lower glume faces outward, whereas in Brachiaria it lies against the rachis[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]..
Digitaria miliacea Willd. ex Steud.
Panicum carthaginense Sw.
Panicum chartaginense Sw.
Panicum fasciculatum Sw.
Panicum fastigiatum Poir.
Panicum flavescens Sw.
Panicum fuscatum J.Presl ex Steud.
Panicum fuscorubens Lam.
Panicum fuscum Sw.
Panicum fuscum fasciculatum (Sw.) Griseb.
Panicum illinoniense Desv.
Panicum nigricans Willd. ex Spreng.
Panicum reticulatum Griseb.
Panicum reticulatum Torr.
Panicum spithamaeum Willd. ex Nees
Panicum spithameum Willd. ex Steud.
Panicum spithamineum Willd. ex Steud.
Panicum thouarsianum Nees ex Steud.
Urochloa fasciculata (Sw.) R.D.Webster ex Morrone & Zuloaga
Urochloa fasciculata reticulata (Torr.) R.D.Webster
Urochloa fusca (Sw.) B.F.Hansen & Wunderlin
Common Name:
General Information
Brachiaria fasciculata is an annual grass producing a cluster of decumbent culms 20 - 120cm tall thar form roots at their lower nodes[
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is occasionally cultivated for its edible seed[
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - all countries except Chile; through the Caribbean and C. America north to Arizona, Oklahoma, Georgia and Florida
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, temperate sub-humid woodlands, and semi-arid shrub woodlands[
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual |
| Height | 0.80 m |
| Pollinators | Wind |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Brachiaria fasciculata has a wide native range from the warm temperate zone of southern S. America, through the tropical regions of the Americas to the southern States of the USA.
The plant is frequently found growing as a weed[
].
Edible Uses
Seed[
]. Used as a cereal.
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
