Biology:Acroceras macrum
| Nile grass | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
| Genus: | Acroceras |
| Species: | A. macrum
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| Binomial name | |
| Acroceras macrum Stapf
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Acroceras macrum (Nile grass, Nyl grass) is a species of perennial grass native to Africa, which is often cultivated extensively as pasture, silage, and hay. It is palatable and nutritious for animal feed.[2] The roots are extended rhizomes and it produces spiked inflorescences 2–8 cm long.[3] The bright green, lanceolate leaves are typically 8–20 cm long, with the whole plant being about 20–70 cm tall.[4] It has been studied in breeding programs and it has been introduced to Australia and South America for cultivation.[5]
Wild Nile grass grows well in flooded, moist, and humid conditions and does not do well in periods of drought.[5] Thus, it is often found on streamsides, pond margins, and in swampy places.[6] It is susceptible to leaf spot caused by Phyllosticta and smut caused by Ustilago syntherismae.[4] It prefers acidic soils. It produces seeds but is usually propagated using cuttings of the rhizomes.
References
- ↑ "Acroceras macrum Stapf". http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-387392.
- ↑ "Acroceras macrum". https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Acroceras_macrum.html.
- ↑ "RBG Kew: GrassBase - Acroceras macrum Description". https://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db/www/imp00027.htm.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Acroceras macrum - Tropical Forages". https://www.tropicalforages.info/text/entities/acroceras_macrum.htm.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Nile grass (Acroceras macrum) | Feedipedia" (in en). http://feedipedia.org/node/511.
- ↑ "Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Acroceras macrum". https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=106640.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q2823485 entry
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