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Centotheca lappacea

Scientific Name: Centotheca lappacea

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Centotheca lappacea

Centotheca lappacea, also known as barbed grass or Rumput lilit kain (Malay), is a grass species found in tropical regions. It is sometimes referred to as "Ya Repair" or "the grass that repairs" in Thai.

Considerations for Pets

  • The common name "barbed grass" suggests the plant may have barbs or other structures that could potentially cause minor skin irritation or discomfort if encountered by pets.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Centotheca lappacea (L.) Desv.
  • Family: Poaceae (alt. Gramineae) - Grass family
  • Subfamily: Panicoideae and Centothecoideae
  • Tribe: Centotheceae
  • Synonyms:
    • Cenchrus lappaceus Linnaeus
    • Centotheca latifolia Trin.
    • Centotheca lappacea var. inermis Rendle (This is a synonym)
    • Centotheca parviflora Peters

Distribution and Habitat

  • Centotheca lappacea is native to tropical western and central Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
  • It is described as very common in West Africa to the Pacific Islands.
  • It is also found in Australia.
  • The plant is known to be distributed pan-tropically.
  • It can be found in forests, according to records from Liberia.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a perennial caespitose grass, meaning it grows in tufts or clumps.
  • The culms (stems) are erect, ranging from 30-100 cm in length.
  • The ligule is an eciliate (lacking hairs) membrane, measuring 2-3 mm long.
  • Leaf-blades have a simple or broadly rounded base.
  • Leaves are elliptic-lanceolate, 6-20 cm long and 1.3-3.2 cm wide, with an oblique base and acute or acuminate apex.
  • The plant possesses knotty rhizomes.
  • Culm nodes are glabrous (smooth).
  • Leaf sheaths are longer than the internodes.

Ecological Role

  • Centotheca lappacea is noted as an introduced grass in tropical land-use systems. Studies have examined its population genetic structure and reproductive strategy in these environments.

Quirky Facts

  • In Thai, it's known as "Ya Hee Yoom," which translates to "Ya Repair" or "the grass that repairs," potentially alluding to some traditional use.

Further Information

  • Taxonomic Serial No.: 507281
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K) Herbarium Collection
  • The Plant List
  • IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
  • Australian Plant Name Index
  • NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Virtual Herbarium
  • WCSP (World Checklist of Selected Plant Families)