🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Agrostis africana Poir. |
| synonym | Agrostis capensis Willd. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Agrostis capensis Willd. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Agrostis capensis Willd., nom. illeg. |
| synonym | Agrostis spicata Thunb. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Agrostis spicata Thunb. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Agrostis spicata Thunb., nom. illeg. |
| synonym | Panicum caudatum Thunb. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Panicum caudatum Thunb. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Panicum caudatum Thunb., nom. illeg. |
| synonym | Sporobolus batesii A.Chev. |
| synonym | Sporobolus capensis (P.Beauv.) Kunth |
| synonym | Sporobolus indicus var. africanus (Poir.) Jovet & Guédès, nom. superfl. |
| synonym | Sporobolus indicus var. capensis Engl. |
| synonym | Sporobolus indicus var. cinereoviridis Baaijens |
| synonym | Sporobolus linearis Mez |
| synonym | Vilfa africana (Poir.) P.Beauv. |
| synonym | Vilfa capensis P.Beauv. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Vilfa capensis P.Beauv. [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Vilfa capensis P.Beauv., nom. superfl. |
| synonym | Vilfa dianthera Steud. |
🗒 Common Names
| Créole Réunion |
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| Créole Seychelles |
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| English |
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| Malgache |
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📚 Overview
Description
Global description
Sporobolus africanus occurs in dense clumps, rhizomatous, with erect stems, reaching up to 1 m high. The rigid leaves are 10 to 35 cm long and 3 to 4 cm wide. The ligule is membranous and ciliated, 0.l to 0.2 mm long. The inflorescence is narrow, spindle shaped, blackish gray. It measures 15 to 30 cm long with a width of 1 cm. The spikelets are all similar.
General habit
Rhizomatous and tufted vivacious grass. It occurs as dense clumps that can reach up to 1 m high. The axes are erect, unbranched and interconnected by short rhizomes.
Underground system
Fibrous roots. Presence of short rhizomes.
Culm
Cylindrical and hollow culm, with glabrous nodes.
Leaf
Simple and alternate leaves. The basal sheaths are wide and membranous. The upper sheaths are glabrous, slightly keeled. Ligule is membrano-ciliated, 0.1 to 0.2 mm high. The lamina is rigid, banded or convoluted, 10 to 35 cm long and 3 to 4 mm wide, the acute apex. The surfaces are glabrous and margin is finely scabrous.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence in dense panicle, linear spiciform, 15 to 30 cm long and 0.8 to 1 cm wide. The ramifications, 2 to 4 cm long, are erect and applied against the axis. It is blackish gray.
Spikelet
The spikelets, olive green in colour, are uniflorous and are all similar, 2 to 2.5 mm long. The lower keel is oval to round and measure 0.8 mm long. Upper glume has an acute top and measure ½ to 2/3 of the length of the spikelet. The single flower is articulated above the glumes. It is smooth and without edges. The lemma and palea are membranous, more or less similar to upper glume. The ovary is glabrous with distinct very short styles and feathery stigmas.
Grain
Grain obovoid to oblong, brown, covered with black is finely striated longitudinally. It is free in the lemmas and falls separately.
Sporobolus africanus occurs in dense clumps, rhizomatous, with erect stems, reaching up to 1 m high. The rigid leaves are 10 to 35 cm long and 3 to 4 cm wide. The ligule is membranous and ciliated, 0.l to 0.2 mm long. The inflorescence is narrow, spindle shaped, blackish gray. It measures 15 to 30 cm long with a width of 1 cm. The spikelets are all similar.
General habit
Rhizomatous and tufted vivacious grass. It occurs as dense clumps that can reach up to 1 m high. The axes are erect, unbranched and interconnected by short rhizomes.
Underground system
Fibrous roots. Presence of short rhizomes.
Culm
Cylindrical and hollow culm, with glabrous nodes.
Leaf
Simple and alternate leaves. The basal sheaths are wide and membranous. The upper sheaths are glabrous, slightly keeled. Ligule is membrano-ciliated, 0.1 to 0.2 mm high. The lamina is rigid, banded or convoluted, 10 to 35 cm long and 3 to 4 mm wide, the acute apex. The surfaces are glabrous and margin is finely scabrous.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence in dense panicle, linear spiciform, 15 to 30 cm long and 0.8 to 1 cm wide. The ramifications, 2 to 4 cm long, are erect and applied against the axis. It is blackish gray.
Spikelet
The spikelets, olive green in colour, are uniflorous and are all similar, 2 to 2.5 mm long. The lower keel is oval to round and measure 0.8 mm long. Upper glume has an acute top and measure ½ to 2/3 of the length of the spikelet. The single flower is articulated above the glumes. It is smooth and without edges. The lemma and palea are membranous, more or less similar to upper glume. The ovary is glabrous with distinct very short styles and feathery stigmas.
Grain
Grain obovoid to oblong, brown, covered with black is finely striated longitudinally. It is free in the lemmas and falls separately.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
Life cycle
Vivacious
Cyclicity
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Sporobolus africanus is a vivacious species that multiply mainly vegetatively by issuing short rhizomes from which develop new axis within the same cluster. The reproduction by seed is also possible, but the germinations are rare.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Morphology
Growth form
Tuft plant with narrow leaves
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Grass or grass-like
Grass-like leaf type
Grass leaf
Type of prefoliation
Rolled leaf
Latex
Without latex
Stem section
Round
Root type
Rhizome
Fibrous roots
Ligule type
Ligule ciliate
Ligule ciliate with hairs around the ligule
Ligule corneous and short ciliate with hair around the ligule
Hollow or solid stem
Hollow stem
Stipule type
No stipule
Leaf attachment type
with graminate sheathing
Fruit type
Grain of grasses
Lamina base
sheathing grass-like smaller
Lamina margin
scabrous
Lamina apex
attenuate
Upperface pilosity
Glabrous
Lowerface pilosity
Glabrous
Simple leaf type
Lamina linear
Lamina section
flat
folded
curved and thick
Lamina Veination
Parallel
Flower color
Blue
Red flowers
Green
Inflorescence type
Spike
Panicle
Alternate racemes
Stem pilosity
Glabrous
Life form
Grass
Geophytic plant
Look Alikes
Characters to distinguish some Sporobolus spp.
| Size | Inflorescence | Branches | Spikelet | Glumes | Species |
| 90-160 cm | Spike-like with spreading branches | 5-10 cm | 1,7-2 mm |
Subequal |
Sporobolus pyramidalis |
| 30-100 cm | Spike-like, narrow with appressed branches | 1-2 cm | 1,8-2 mm |
Slightly different |
Sporobolus indicus |
| 30-110 cm | Spike-like, narrow with appressed branches | 1-2 cm | 2,1-2,8 mm |
Very different |
Sporobolus africanus |
| 10-60 cm | Diffuse panicle | 1-1,5 mm | Subequal Gl inf 0,4-0,6 mm Gl sup 0,6-1 mm 1/2 < Gl sup < L spikelet |
Sporobolus festivus |
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
Sporobolus africanus is close to S. pyramidalis P.Beauv. from which it is distinguished by its linear spiciform inflorescence.
S. pyramidalis: Upper glume obtuse or truncated at the top, measuring 1/3 of the length of the spikelet. Spikelet 1.5-2 mm long. Branches of the basal part 3-15 cm long, ascending or spreading.
S. africanus: Upper glume acute at the tip, 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of the spikelet. Spikelet 2-3 mm long. Branches of the basal part 1 to 3 cm long, applied along the rachis.
S. pyramidalis: Upper glume obtuse or truncated at the top, measuring 1/3 of the length of the spikelet. Spikelet 1.5-2 mm long. Branches of the basal part 3-15 cm long, ascending or spreading.
S. africanus: Upper glume acute at the tip, 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of the spikelet. Spikelet 2-3 mm long. Branches of the basal part 1 to 3 cm long, applied along the rachis.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Ecology
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Comoros: Absent.
Madagascar: Sporobolus africanus is a ruderal species and weed of fallow and pastures on Highlands and the humid Eastern Slope. It is a species of "Bozaka". It is present (often with Cynodon dactylon) mainly on terraces in lower slopes (fairly deep and fertile soil) on the edge of the field near homes or about the lowland rice fields.
Mauritius: Not recorded in crop fields.
Reunion: It is a species of Highland of the Island. It grows in ruderal the roadside in waste places or near homes, but it is also a weed of dry degraded and overgrazed pastures. .
Seychelles: This species is mostly seen on sandy soils.
Madagascar: Sporobolus africanus is a ruderal species and weed of fallow and pastures on Highlands and the humid Eastern Slope. It is a species of "Bozaka". It is present (often with Cynodon dactylon) mainly on terraces in lower slopes (fairly deep and fertile soil) on the edge of the field near homes or about the lowland rice fields.
Mauritius: Not recorded in crop fields.
Reunion: It is a species of Highland of the Island. It grows in ruderal the roadside in waste places or near homes, but it is also a weed of dry degraded and overgrazed pastures. .
Seychelles: This species is mostly seen on sandy soils.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Terrestrial
Description
Geographical distibution
Madagascar
Reunion Island
Seychelles
Origin
Sporobolus africanus is native to Central Africa, the southern half of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Worldwide distribution
This species has been introduced in the Indian Ocean islands (Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Reunion), Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
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Local harmfulness
Comoros: Absent.
Madagascar: Sporobolus africanus is an infrequent weed in crops and rarely abundant. Rather, it is a weed of pastures.
Mauritius: Not reorded in crop fields.
Reunion: It's basically a weed of degraded pastures in the highlands in the west and the Plaine des Cafres It is also found in temperate fruit orchards.
Seychelles: occasional serious weed of vegetable crops and tubers.
Comoros: Absent.
Madagascar: Sporobolus africanus is an infrequent weed in crops and rarely abundant. Rather, it is a weed of pastures.
Mauritius: Not reorded in crop fields.
Reunion: It's basically a weed of degraded pastures in the highlands in the west and the Plaine des Cafres It is also found in temperate fruit orchards.
Seychelles: occasional serious weed of vegetable crops and tubers.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Management
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Local control
Madagascar: Sporobolus africanus is a plant of fallow, relatively rare in cultivated fields where it is usually sufficient to cut the plant when they develop. This species is very tolerant of bushfires. It can be controlled to glyphosate (1800 g / ha).
Madagascar: Sporobolus africanus is a plant of fallow, relatively rare in cultivated fields where it is usually sufficient to cut the plant when they develop. This species is very tolerant of bushfires. It can be controlled to glyphosate (1800 g / ha).
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
References
- https://www.feedipedia.org/node/371
- Le Bourgeois, T., A. Carrara, M. Dodet, W. Dogley, A. Gaungoo, P. Grard, Y. Ibrahim, E. Jeuffrault, G. Lebreton, P. Poilecot, J. Prosperi, J. A. Randriamampianina, A. P. Andrianaivo and F. Théveny (2008). Advent-OI : Principales adventices des îles du sud-ouest de l'Océan Indien. Cirad. Montpellier, France, Cirad.
- Husson, O., H. Charpentier, F.-X. Chabaud, K. Naudin, Rakotondramanana et L. Séguy (2010). Flore des jachères et adventices des cultures. Annexe 1 : les principales plantes de jachères et adventices des cultures à Madagascar. In : Manuel pratique du semis direct à Madagascar. Annexe 1 - Antananarivo : GSDM/CIRAD, 2010 : 64 p.
Information Listing > References
- https://www.feedipedia.org/node/371
- Le Bourgeois, T., A. Carrara, M. Dodet, W. Dogley, A. Gaungoo, P. Grard, Y. Ibrahim, E. Jeuffrault, G. Lebreton, P. Poilecot, J. Prosperi, J. A. Randriamampianina, A. P. Andrianaivo and F. Théveny (2008). Advent-OI : Principales adventices des îles du sud-ouest de l'Océan Indien. Cirad. Montpellier, France, Cirad.
- Husson, O., H. Charpentier, F.-X. Chabaud, K. Naudin, Rakotondramanana et L. Séguy (2010). Flore des jachères et adventices des cultures. Annexe 1 : les principales plantes de jachères et adventices des cultures à Madagascar. In : Manuel pratique du semis direct à Madagascar. Annexe 1 - Antananarivo : GSDM/CIRAD, 2010 : 64 p.
Images
Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Sporobolus%2520africanus
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Sporobolus |
| Species | Sporobolus africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tournay |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
