Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Fodder - Provides food and cover for some wildlife.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan
Thrives in warm, sunny locations in moist environments. Found in wetlands, grasslands, along waterways, and disturbed areas and can tolerate some drought once established.
It is perennial grass-like herb sometimes appearing annual. Forms clumps with upright stems may reach 15-120 cm in height.
Stem is grown in clusters or individually, reaching 6-90 cm long, hairless, bluntly triangular in cross-section (trigonous).
Leaves are numerous, grass-like with pointed tips. Lowermost leaf sheaths are often dark red to purple, contrasting with the green to pale brown color of upper sheaths. Basal scales may split into fibers. Leaves can be shorter or longer than the stems, reaching up to 50 cm in length and 0.3-0.5 cm wide.
Flowers are arranged in a terminal inflorescence with 4-18 radiating branches. These branches may bear 1-6 stalkless spikes at their base, with additional stalked spikes above. Individual spikes are cylindrical, measuring 0.7-3 cm long and containing 25-180 tiny spikelets. Flowers within the spikelets are small and inconspicuous.
Fruit is small, brown achene that fall off individually. They are typically 0.1-0.2 cm long.
Flowering and Fruiting: April-December.