Brachiaria reptans
(L.) C.A.Gardner & C.E.Hubb.
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.
]..
Brachiaria balansae Henrard
Brachiaria prostrata (Lam.) Griseb.
Digitaria umbrosa (Retz.) Pers.
Echinochloa reptans (L.) Roberty
Echinochloa subcordata Roem. & Schult.
Panicum aurelianum Hale ex Alph.Wood
Panicum barbipedum Hayata
Panicum brachythyrsum Peter
Panicum caespitosum Sw.
Panicum calaccanzense Steud.
Panicum extensum Desv.
Panicum grossarium L.
Panicum insularum Steud.
Panicum luxurians Willd. ex Nees
Panicum nilagiricum Steud.
Panicum parvum Buse
Panicum patulum Mez
Panicum procumbens Nees
Panicum prostratum Lam.
Panicum reptans L.
Panicum sieberi Link
Panicum subcordatum (Roem. & Schult.) Roth
Panicum taitense Steud.
Panicum umbrosum Retz.
Panicum virescens Poir.
Setaria subcordata (Roem. & Schult.) Kunth
Setaria umbrosa (Retz.) P.Beauv.
Urochloa reptans (L.) Stapf
Common Name: Creeping Panic Grass
General Information
Brachiaria reptans is an annual grass forming a clump of slender, creeping culms 10 - 65cm tall; the culms usually root at the lower nodes[
1140- Title
- Brachiaria, Urochloa (Gramineae-Paniceae) in Malesia
- Publication
- Blumea 41 pp 413-437 1996
- Author
- Veldkamp J.F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A paper transferring various Brachiaria species to Urochloa, it also gives information on plant uses.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and probably also as a food on occasions.
This species appears to be reasonably widespread and capable of colonizing disturbed habitats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
The seed is said to contain cyanide[
1140- Title
- Brachiaria, Urochloa (Gramineae-Paniceae) in Malesia
- Publication
- Blumea 41 pp 413-437 1996
- Author
- Veldkamp J.F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A paper transferring various Brachiaria species to Urochloa, it also gives information on plant uses.
].
Botanical References
Range
Pantropical, but probably originating in tropical Asia.
Habitat
Open waste places, beaches, old clearings, pastures, ditches, thickets, jati forest; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[
1140- Title
- Brachiaria, Urochloa (Gramineae-Paniceae) in Malesia
- Publication
- Blumea 41 pp 413-437 1996
- Author
- Veldkamp J.F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A paper transferring various Brachiaria species to Urochloa, it also gives information on plant uses.
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual |
| Height | 0.40 m |
| Pollinators | Wind |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant is a weed of agricultural fields, moderately common amongst sugarcane, and also invades lawns and heavily-grazed pastures[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Edible Uses
Seed - cooked. It is sometimes eaten in India, but is said to contain cyanides[
1140- Title
- Brachiaria, Urochloa (Gramineae-Paniceae) in Malesia
- Publication
- Blumea 41 pp 413-437 1996
- Author
- Veldkamp J.F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A paper transferring various Brachiaria species to Urochloa, it also gives information on plant uses.
].
Medicinal
Ashes from the whole plant are used as a treatment against snake bite[
1140- Title
- Brachiaria, Urochloa (Gramineae-Paniceae) in Malesia
- Publication
- Blumea 41 pp 413-437 1996
- Author
- Veldkamp J.F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A paper transferring various Brachiaria species to Urochloa, it also gives information on plant uses.
].
The rhizomes are diuretic. A paste made from the rhizome is used in the treatment of kidney problems[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
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.
