Acroceras macrum

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Poales

Familia: Poaceae
Subfamilia: Panicoideae
Tribus: Paniceae
Subtribus: Boivinellinae
Genus: Acroceras
Species: Acroceras macrum
Name

Acroceras macrum Stapf
References

D. Prain, Fl. trop. Afr. 9:624. 1920
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. [1]

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

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