Status:
valid
Authors:
Judz.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1992
Citation Micro:
Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 79: 170 (1992)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000851257
Common Names
- Atractantha cardinalis
- Cardinalis Grass
- Cardinalis Star Grass
Description
Atractantha cardinalis (also called Cardinal Bluestem, among many other common names) is a perennial grass native to South America. It is a tufted grass with narrow, flat leaves and grows up to 1 m in height. It is found in open woodlands, prairies, and grasslands in the Amazon basin.
Uses & Benefits
Atractantha cardinalis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a ground cover in landscaping.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Atractantha cardinalis has small, red, star-shaped flowers that grow in clusters. The seeds are small, black, and oval-shaped. The seedlings are thin and have a long, narrow stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Atractantha cardinalis is a perennial grass native to South America. It is a low-growing grass that grows in clumps and spreads through rhizomes. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils. Propagation is done by division of the clumps or by seed. The seeds should be sown in spring or autumn and lightly covered with soil. Germination usually takes place within 2-3 weeks.
Where to Find Atractantha cardinalis
Atractantha cardinalis is found in dry open grassland in Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Species in the Atractantha genus
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:300480-2: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].