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toothache grass

Scientific Name: Ctenium aromaticum

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Toothache Grass (Ctenium aromaticum)

Ctenium aromaticum, commonly known as toothache grass, is a native grass found in the southeastern United States. It is also known as Orange Grass or Florida Toothache Grass.

Considerations for Pets

  • Livestock grazes toothache grass, especially during the spring and summer.
  • The grass is reported to have a pungent taste.

Considerations for Children

  • The common name "toothache grass" comes from reports of a numbing effect when the grass is chewed.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Ctenium aromaticum (Walter) Alph. Wood
  • Family: Poaceae (grass family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Campulosus aromaticus (according to the Manual of the Southeastern Flora (Small, 1933))
  • Alternative Scientific Name: Ctenium americanum (historically used)
  • Ctenium floridanum (Hitchcock) Hitchcock is another related species, also known as Florida Toothache Grass, with the synonym Campulosus floridanus Hitchc.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the southeastern United States, particularly the southeastern coastal plain.
  • In Florida, it's found in northern counties, extending south to the central peninsula.
  • Grows in wet flatwoods and savannas.
  • Specifically mentioned in locations such as Apalachicola National Forest, Florida.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • A perennial warm-season clump grass.
  • Typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet tall.

Quirky Facts

  • The common name "toothache grass" comes from the grass's reported numbing effect. Isobutylamides present in the plant are thought to be the numbing agents. These compounds are particularly concentrated in a 1-2 cm region where the roots join the base of the stems.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Readily grazed by livestock, particularly during the spring and summer months.

Further Information

  • PLANTS Database: A valuable resource for information on Ctenium aromaticum and other plants.
  • USDA, NRCS: Provides references and plant profiles.
  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society): Offers help and information.
  • Discover Life: Page details biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution.
  • American Bamboo Society: Some researchers studied the species during the society's visits.