Hyparrhenia filipendula explained

Hyparrhenia filipendula is a species of perennial bunchgrass commonly known as Tambookie grass, fine thatching grass, and fine hood grass. It grows to a height of 1mto1.5mm (03feetto04.9feetm).^[1]

Distribution

Hyparrhenia filipendula has a widespread native distribution, in semiarid Africa, Papuasia and Australia. It has been introduced into Sri Lanka, parts of Southeast Asia and Indonesia.^{[2] [3]} It is an important component of acacia savannas with 900mm1000mm of annual precipitation in East Africa, which includes the wetter parts of the Serengeti ecosystem. It is commonly found in grasslands in combination with Themeda triandra^[4] and Hyparrhenia dissoluta.^[5]

Uses

Hyparrhenia filipendula is a fodder plant for wild and domestic grazers, but it is not well adapted to heavy grazing.^[1] In mixed grasslands with T. tiandra, it produces 6.8 grams of dry matter and 0.56 grams of protein per square meter per month per centimeter of rainfall.^[4]

Notes and References

1. 10.1007/bf00379478. 0029-8549. 68. 1. 80–86. Coughenour. M. B.. S. J. McNaughton . L. L. Wallace . Responses of an African tall-Grass (Hyparrhenia filipendula Stapf.) to defoliation and limitations of water and nitrogen. Oecologia. 1985-01-01. 4217801. 28310915. 1985Oecol..68...80C. 7023317.
2. Web site: Hyparrhenia filipendula (Hochst.) Stapf . Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2020-07-01 .
3. Web site: FAO. Hyparrhenia filipendula. 2012-11-25.
4. 10.2307/2259182. 0022-0477. 66. 1. 73–96. Strugnell. R. G.. C. D. Pigott. Biomass, shoot-production and grazing of two grasslands in the Rwenzori National Park, Uganda. Journal of Ecology. 1978-03-01. 2259182.
5. 10.2307/2256546. 0022-0477. 31. 2. 149–177. Thomas. A. S.. The vegetation of the Karamoja District, Uganda: An illustration of biological factors in tropical ecology. Journal of Ecology. 1943-12-04. 2256546.