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Arundinella nepalensis: An Overview

Arundinella nepalensis, commonly known as Beesgras or Riviergras (River grass), is a perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Arundinella nepalensis Trin.
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Subfamily: Panicoideae
• Tribe: Arundinelleae
• Synonyms: Arundinella acratherum Nees ex Steud., Arundinella ecklonii Nees, Arundinella rigida Nees.

Distribution and Habitat

This species is native to Western Australia and found across various regions, including LES (Lesotho), EC (Eastern Cape), FS (Free State), GA (Gauteng), KN (KwaZulu-Natal), LP (Limpopo), MP (Mpumalanga), NC (Northern Cape), NW (North West), WC (Western Cape), and SWZ (Swaziland). It thrives at altitudes ranging from 50 to 2500 meters, and prefers wet environment.

Morphological Characteristics

• Habit: Perennial caespitose (tufted) grass with short rhizomes.
• Culms: Erect, ranging from 60 to 180 cm in length and 1.5 to 5 mm in diameter. Can be cane-like and up to 3m high.
• Leaves: Ligule short, densely ciliate; blade rolled in.
• Inflorescence: Fairly contracted panicle, often conspicuously dark colored, nearly black.
• Growth: Evergreen perennial, growing up to 2 meters (6ft 7in).

Genetic Information

• Arundinella nepalensis chloroplast partial ndhF gene for NADH dehydrogenase F, specimen voucher MSV608.

Ecological Role

• Listed with a conservation status code LC (Least Concern) in Northern Territory Threatened Species.
• It is described as a species for which fire responses are known, according to the Tropical Savannas Fire Response Database.

Additional Information

• Flowering Time: Autumn
• Hardy to zone (UK) 7.
• Flowers are hermaphrodite

Resources

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K) Herbarium
• Tropicos
• China
• IPCN
• Madagascar
• Pakistan
• International Plant Names Index
• Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa
• Gramineae