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Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S. T. Blake
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Synonyms: | Andropogon inundata, Andropogon haenkei, Bothriochloa intermedia |
| Common Name: | Purple Plume Grass, Australian Bluestem, Plains Bluestem, Forest Bluegrass, Caucasian Bluestem, 臭根子草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Grass & Grass-like Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Africa. Central Asia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Indochina, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Cryptogenic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Tall grass that grows up to 1-1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Smooth or hairy leaves are linear to lanceolate (typically 0.2-0.3 m tall, but sometimes up to 0.5 m tall). Leaves emit a strong aroma when crushed. |
| Flowers | Green to purple, tiny flowers known as spikelets are arranged in a panicle composed of 20 racemes (spike-like inflorescences with stalked flowers). The inflorescence emits a strong aroma when crushed. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Conservation Status: Earlier literature recorded the species as native to Singapore, vulnerable / rare. (Ali Ibrahim et. al., 1995, Ali Ibrahim & SC Chin, AI 227). However, due to its habitat, it is now thought to be possibly exotic and of uncertain origin. (Hugh Tan et. al., 2009) |
| Habitat | Open grassy areas, inland or coastal, around Old World tropics, fairly uncommon in Singapore. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Used as forage grass in some parts of world. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Foliage, Roots) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Riverine |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | Heavy clayey soils |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Dry Soils / Drought, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red, White |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29160 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3469 |
| 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. |