Status:
valid
Authors:
(Rendle) Stapf
Source:
wcs
Year:
1926
Citation Micro:
Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1926: 444 (1926)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000879527
Common Names
- Melinis effusa
- Diffuse Natal Grass
- Diffuse Natal
Description
Melinis effusa (also called Spreading Redtop, among many other common names) is a perennial grass, growing up to 1 m tall. It is native to Africa and is found in grasslands and scrublands.
Uses & Benefits
Melinis effusa is an ornamental grass that is used in landscaping. It is drought tolerant and can survive in poor soils. It is also used as a ground cover.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Flower: The flowers of Melinis effusa are white or pinkish and have five petals. Seed: The seeds of Melinis effusa are small, dark brown and oval-shaped. Seedlings: The seedlings of Melinis effusa have a single pair of oval-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Melinis effusa is a perennial grass native to South Africa. It can be propagated by seed or division. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in a well-drained soil in a sunny location. Water the soil regularly to keep it moist but not soggy. The seeds should germinate within a few weeks. To propagate by division, dig up the clumps of grass and divide them into smaller sections. Replant the sections in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
Where to Find Melinis effusa
Melinis effusa is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Melinis effusa FAQ
What is the scientific name of Melinis effusa?
Melinis effusa
What is the common name of Melinis effusa?
Diffuse Melinis
What is the natural habitat of Melinis effusa?
Grassland and open woodlands
Species in the Melinis genus
Melinis ambigua,
Melinis amethystea,
Melinis angolensis,
Melinis ascendens,
Melinis biaristata,
Melinis drakensbergensis,
Melinis effusa,
Melinis gossweileri,
Melinis kallimorpha,
Melinis longiseta,
Melinis macrochaeta,
Melinis minutiflora,
Melinis nerviglumis,
Melinis repens,
Melinis reynaudioides,
Melinis rupicola,
Melinis scabrida,
Melinis subglabra,
Melinis tanatricha,
Melinis tenuissima,
Melinis tomentosa,
Melinis welwitschii,
Melinis maroccana,
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:408213-1: 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].