Common Name:

General Information

Imperata conferta is a perennial, evergreen grass . It spreads freely by means of its subterranean rhizomes and can form large clumps with culms 100 - 200cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. Considered to be attractive when in flower, the plant is not generally cultivated because of its propensity to become a weed[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to New Guinea and the western Pacific

Habitat

Found in a wide range of open, disturbed human-created habitats; at elevations from sea-level up to 1,000 metres[]. In the Philippines the plant generally prefers forest clearings at higher elevations[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant can spread freely by means of its rhizomes - even small parts of the rhizome when left in the ground can grow into a new plant. This the plant can be very difficult to eradicate, and is also spread easily to other sites by means of small sections of the root. It is considered an invasive weed in many areas[, ].
Plants can flower all year roundin Fiji[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the rhizomes is drunk as a treatment against diarrhoea caused by indigestion and against gonorrhoea[].

Other Uses

The leaves are often used for thatching[].
The plants are sometimes used in weaving to make hats and mats[].
Experiments have shown that the fibres from the plant can be used to make good paper[].

Propagation

Seed -

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