Biology:Desmostachya bipinnata
| Desmostachya bipinnata | |
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| Desmostachya bipinnata (right plant) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Desmostachya |
| Species: | D. bipinnata
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| Binomial name | |
| Desmostachya bipinnata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Desmostachya bipinnata, commonly known as halfa grass, big cordgrass, and salt reed-grass,[3] is an Old World perennial grass, long known and used in human history. The grass is tall, tufted, leafy, perennial grass, branching from the base, erect from a stout creeping rootstock.[4]
Distribution
Desmostachya bipinnata is native to northeast and west tropical, and northern Africa (in Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia); and countries in the Middle East, and temperate and tropical Asia (in Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand).[5]
In agriculture, Desmostachya bipinnata is a weed commonly found in wheat crops.[6]
Taxonomy
On the basis of distinct morphological and reproductive characters, four new subspecies of D. bipinnata have been described by Pandeya and Pandeya (2002). However, it is uncertain whether these subspecies represent actual genetic differences, the authors also note the existence of different biotypes occurring in response to soil and climatic conditions in western India. The four subspecies proposed are:
- D. bipinnata longispiculata;
- D. bipinnata jodhpurensis;
- D. bipinnata sheelai;
- D. bipinnata agraensis.
Religious significance
Desmostachya bipinnata has long been used in various traditions (Hindus, Jains and Buddhists) as a very sacred plant. According to early Buddhist accounts, it was the material used by Buddha for his meditation seat when he attained enlightenment.[7] It is mentioned in the Rig Veda for use in sacred ceremonies and also as a seat for priests and the gods.[8] Kusha grass is specifically recommended by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita as part of the ideal seat for meditation.[9][10][11]
Other
In folk medicine, Desmostachya bipinnata has been used to treat dysentery and menorrhagia, and as a diuretic.[12]
In arid regions, Desmostachya bipinnata is used as fodder for livestock.[5]
References
- ↑ Lansdown, R.V. (2013). "Desmostachya bipinnata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T13579796A13596921. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T13579796A13596921.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/13579796/13596921. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Desmostachya bipinnata". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:398084-1.
- ↑ Martha Modzelevich. "Desmostachya bipinnata". Flowers in Israel. http://www.flowersinisrael.com/Desmostachyabipinnata_page.htm.
- ↑ Pandeya, Amita; Pandeya, S. C. (2002). "Environment and population differentiation in Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn.) Stapf in western India". Tropical Ecology 43 (2): 359–362.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 {{citation | mode = cs1 | title = Desmostachya bipinnata | work = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) | url = | publisher = [[Organization:Agricultural Research ServAgricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | access-date = June 15, 2011 }}
- ↑ Ahmad, R.; Shaikh, A.S. (January–June 2003). "Common Weeds of Wheat and Their Control". Pakistan Journal of Water Resources 7 (1): 73–76. http://www.pcrwr.gov.pk/New_Journals/Vol7-1/common_weeds.pdf. Retrieved June 15, 2011.[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
- ↑ Professor Paul Williams (2006). Buddhism: Critical Concepts in Religious Studies (Critical Concepts in Religious Studies S.). New York: Routledge. p. 262. ISBN 0-415-33226-5. https://books.google.com/books?id=Ypsz9qEzZjwC&pg=PA262.
- ↑ Griffith, Ralph T. H. (1896). The Hymns of the Rigveda, Volume 1. p. 4. ISBN 9781428630772. https://books.google.com/books?id=cTQd3lfz_VgC&pg=PA4.[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
- ↑ "Establishing a firm seat for himself, In a clean place, Not too high, Not too low, covered with cloth, and antelope skin, and kusha grass" (B.G. VI:11)
- ↑ Smith, Huston; Chapple, Christopher; Sargeant, Winthrop (2009). The Bhagavad Gita (Excelsior Editions). Excelsior Editions/State University of New York. p. 282. ISBN 978-1-4384-2842-0. https://books.google.com/books?id=4JoicgCMZ5cC.
- ↑ Mahdihassan, S. (1987). "Three Important Vedic Grasses". Indian Journal of History of Science 22 (4): 286–291. http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/rawdataupload/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005abf_286.pdf. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ↑ James A. Duke. "Desmostachya bipinnata (POACEAE)". Green Farmacy Garden, Fulton, Maryland: Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/ethnobot.pl?ethnobot.taxon=Desmostachya%20bipinnata.[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
Wikidata ☰ Q659826 entry
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