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Aeluropus
Scientific Name: Aeluropus
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Aeluropus: A Resilient Grass of Arid Lands
Aeluropus is a genus of grasses known for its ability to thrive in harsh environments. Found in Eurasia and Africa, these plants are particularly well-adapted to desert regions and saline conditions.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Aeluropus species are clumped and loosely grown.
- Some Aeluropus species may have hairy parts (e.g., sheaths).
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Aeluropus
- Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
- Kingdom: Flowering Plants
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Aeluropus littoralis littoralis is a recognized subspecies.
- Synonyms include:
- Aeluropus korshinskyi Tzvelev
- Aeluropus laevis var. dasyphyllus Trautv.
Common Names
- Mangrove Grass
- Rabbit-Foot Aeluropus
Distribution and Habitat
Aeluropus species are found in Eurasia and Africa, particularly in desert regions. Aeluropus lagopoides, for example, is distributed from coastal Sindh and Balochistan to saline flats of Punjab, Pakistan.
Morphological Characteristics
- Perennial grasses.
- Species like Aeluropus littoralis have elongated rhizomes.
- Culms can be prostrate and range from 5-30 cm long.
- Some species, like Aeluropus lagopoides, may have stolons.
Ecological Role
Aeluropus species are halophytes, meaning they are salt-tolerant plants. Aeluropus sinensis may be impacted by crude oil deposition, affecting habitat selection.
Uses
Aeluropus lagopoides is used as forage in Hamoon Wetland.
Quirky Facts
- The text references a study about a skull of an extinct mammal related to Aeluropus that was found in a cave in the Ruby Mines at Mogok, Burma.
Genetic and Molecular Information
- Studies have investigated the molecular responses of Aeluropus littoralis to salinity stress using cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism.
- Research has focused on genes like AlHKT21 (a low-affinity K+ transporter) and AlSAP, examining their roles in stress tolerance.
Species within the Genus
- Aeluropus badghyzii Tzvelev
- Aeluropus bombycinus
- Aeluropus brevifolius
- Aeluropus concinnus
- Aeluropus lagopoides (L.) Trin.
- Aeluropus littoralis (Gouan) Parl.
- Aeluropus peterganicus
- Aeluropus repens (Desf.) Parl.
Further Information
- Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
- ARKive (for photos and facts)
- The Plant List
- International Plant Names Index
- Australian Plant Name Index
- Index Nominum Genericorum