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Sporobolus fertilis (Steud.) Clayton
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Synonyms: | Sporobolus indicus var. major, Sporobolus indicus var. fertilis, Sporobolus indicus var. pallidior |
| Common Name: | Giant Parramatta Grass, 鼠尾粟 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Grass & Grass-like Plant (Tall Grass (Poaceae)), Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Grassy |
| Maximum Height | 0.8 m to 1.6 m |
Biogeography
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Clumping grass that grows up to 0.8-1.6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Narrow, linear leaves (15-50 cm long, 0.2-0.5 cm wide) are either flat or rolled with leaf margins curled inwards. The upper surface of the leaf blade is either hairless or sparsely covered in soft, long hairs. The leaf sheath (the basal portion of the leaf which wraps around the stem) is smooth and hairless, but the margins are lined with tiny hairs. |
| Fruit | The seed heads are arranged in overlapping branches that wrap around a single axis. They grow up to 0.5 m long and 1-2 cm wide. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | This species is a significant weed in Australian pastures. Mature leaves are not palatable to cattle and damage the teeth of cattle and horses that graze on it. |
| Cultivation | This species is generally considered a weed. It is often infected by black smut fungus. |
Landscaping Features
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Clasping |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Silver / Grey |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Yellowish Green |
| Inflorescence Type Remarks | The panicle is compressed into a spike-like shape. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Sticky |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31356 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5753 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |