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Desmostachya bipinnata

Scientific Name: Desmostachya bipinnata

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Desmostachya bipinnata

Desmostachya bipinnata, an accepted scientific name, is known by several common names, including Halfa grass, Big cordgrass, and Salt reed-grass in English. It is also referred to as Daabh, Kush, Dabh, Davoli, Durva, and Dabhena in various Indian languages. In Iraq, it's known as jilda, and in Egypt and Arabia, it's called halfa.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf
  • Family: Poaceae (also referred to as Gramineae)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms:
    • Briza bipinnata L.
    • Cynosurus durus Forssk.
    • Dactylis interrupta Rottler ex Stapf
    • Desmostachya cynosuroides (Retz.) Stapf ex Massey
    • Desmostachya pingalaiae
    • Eragrostis bipinnata

Considerations for Pets

  • This grass has rigid culms.

Considerations for Children

  • This grass has rigid culms.

Distribution and Habitat

Desmostachya bipinnata is an Old World perennial grass found in:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Bangladesh
  • Egypt (including the African part and Sinai)
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel (Golan, Mt. Gilboa, Acco Plain, Sharon Plain, Philistean Plain, Samaria, Lower)
  • Kenya
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Morocco
  • Oman

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Tall, tufted, perennial grass.
  • Rhizomatous, branching from the base.
  • Stout, robust, creeping rhizomes covered with shiny sheaths.
  • Culms are rigid and herbaceous.
  • Densely clumped, caespitose habit.
  • Butt sheaths are scarious, pallid, or dark brown and glabrous.

Uses and Traditional Medicine

Desmostachya bipinnata has been traditionally used in Indian medicine for treating various ailments, including:

  • Diarrhea and dysentery
  • Asthma
  • Kidney stones

It is also considered an official drug of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia and is used in Indian Vedic practices. It's sometimes included in Trinapanchamoola, known for its diuretic properties.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Studies have been conducted on microorganisms that decompose the aboveground parts of Desmostachya bipinnata.

Additional Information

Desmostachya bipinnata is drought and salt-tolerant.