Bothriochloa bladhii explained

Bothriochloa bladhii (commonly called, variously, Australian bluestem, Caucasian bluestem, forest-bluegrass, plains bluestem, and purple plume grass) is a Neotropic grass in the family Poaceae, found primarily in tropical Africa, and tropical and temperate Asia, and Australia. The type specimen was collected from China by Finnish botanist Peter Johan Bladh.[1] The name of Bladh is honored in the specific epithet.

Distribution

Bothriochloa bladhii is native to Africa from Senegal and Ethiopia southwards to South Africa; the Middle East; much of temperate and tropical, southern and eastern Asia, Malesia, and Australia.

Bothriochloa bladhii has also become naturalized elsewhere in the neotropics.

Uses

Bothriochloa bladhii is used as stored food for local livestock, and as a grazing plant by both livestock and wild ruminants. It is sometimes planted as a revegetator, to restore disturbed land.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Entry for Peter Johan Bladh . Index of Botanists . Harvard University Herbarium . May 21, 2009 . November 9, 2011.