Nile grass
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Acroceras
Species:
A. macrum
Binomial name
Acroceras macrum
Synonyms[1]
  • Neohusnotia macra (Stapf) C.C. Hsu
  • Panicum gimmae Fiori

Acroceras macrum (Nile grass, Nyl grass) is a species of perennial grass native to Africa, which is often cultivated extensively as pasture, silage, and hay. It is palatable and nutritious for animal feed.[2] The roots are extended rhizomes and it produces spiked inflorescences 2–8 cm long.[3] The bright green, lanceolate leaves are typically 8–20 cm long, with the whole plant being about 20–70 cm tall.[4] It has been studied in breeding programs and it has been introduced to Australia and South America for cultivation.[5]

Wild Nile grass grows well in flooded, moist, and humid conditions and does not do well in periods of drought.[5] Thus, it is often found on streamsides, pond margins, and in swampy places.[6] It is susceptible to leaf spot caused by Phyllosticta and smut caused by Ustilago syntherismae.[4] It prefers acidic soils. It produces seeds but is usually propagated using cuttings of the rhizomes.

References

  1. ↑ "Acroceras macrum Stapf". www.theplantlist.org/. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  2. ↑ "Acroceras macrum". hort.purdue.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  3. ↑ "RBG Kew: GrassBase - Acroceras macrum Description". www.kew.org. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  4. 1 2 "Acroceras macrum - Tropical Forages". www.tropicalforages.info. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  5. 1 2 "Nile grass (Acroceras macrum) | Feedipedia". feedipedia.org. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  6. ↑ "Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Acroceras macrum". www.zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 2021-05-07.


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