Brachiaria reptans

(L.) Gard. ex C. E. Hubbard

Fine armgrass

Poaceae Edible: Seeds, Cereal Potential hazards — see below

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Description

An annual grass. The base is creeping and there are several slender stems. The nodes have beards. The leaf sheaths are shorter than the internodes. They are hairy and loose. The leaf blades are short and 5-8 mm wide. They are rounded at the base and have crinkly edges. The flower stalk has several slender racemes. The spikelets are arranged in an irregular fashion. They are less than 3 mm long.

Edible Uses

The grains are eaten when food is scarce and serve as a famine food.

Traditional Uses

The grains are eaten when food is scarce.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Ashes from the whole plant are used as a treatment against snake bite. The rhizomes are diuretic. A paste made from the rhizome is used in the treatment of kidney problems.

Known Hazards

The seed is said to contain cyanide.

Distribution

A tropical plant. They occur on slightly better soils in medium rainfall areas.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, India, Northeastern India, Mozambique, Pakistan, St. Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan,

Cultivation

The plant is a weed of agricultural fields, moderately common amongst sugarcane, and also invades lawns and heavily-grazed pastures.

Other Information

It is a famine food.

Notes

There are about 100 Brachiaria species.

Synonyms

Brachiaria prostrata (Lam.) Griseb.Brachiaria prostratum Lam.Panicum reptans Linn.Uruchloa reptans Stapf.

Also Known As

Shani pillu

References (6)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 80
Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
Hooker's Icon. Pl. 34: t. 3363. 1938
Petheram, R.J. and Kok, B., 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. UWA Press p 69
Singh, H.B., Arora R.K.,1978, Wild edible Plants of India. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p 84

Show all 6 references