Nile grass | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
Genus: | Acroceras |
Species: | A. macrum
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Binomial name | |
Acroceras macrum | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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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.