Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
repens
ID:
880247

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Willd.) Zizka

Source:
wcs

Year:
1988

Citation Micro:
Biblioth. Bot. 38(138): 55 (1988)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000879582

Common Names

  • Melinis repens
  • Creeping Melinis
  • Spreading Melinis

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Description

Melinis repens (also called Natal Red Top, among many other common names) is an evergreen perennial grass with a clump-forming habit. It has thin, bright green leaves and reddish-purple flower spikes. It is native to tropical Africa and prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade.

Uses & Benefits

Melinis repens is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It has a pleasant scent and can be used to attract pollinators. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Melinis repens sub. grandiflora (Hochst.) Zizka
Melinis repens sub. nigricans (Mez) Zizka
Melinis repens sub. repens

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Flower: The flower of Melinis repens is a small, white or pinkish spikelet. Seed: The seed of Melinis repens is a small, black, oval-shaped seed. Seedlings: The seedlings of Melinis repens are small, with thin, grass-like leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Melinis repens is native to tropical Africa and is widely cultivated as an ornamental grass. It is propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in spring in a warm, sunny position and kept moist until germination occurs. Division can be done in spring or autumn. The clumps should be divided and replanted in well-drained soil.

Where to Find Melinis repens

Melinis repens is native to Africa and can be found in the countries of Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Melinis repens FAQ

What is the scientific name of Melinis repens?

Melinis repens

What are the common names of Melinis repens?

Repens redtop

What is the natural habitat of Melinis repens?

It is found in open grassland, woodlands, and disturbed areas

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

Carl Ludwig Willdenow (1765-1812): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Willd.' in the authors string.
Georg Zizka (b.1955): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Zizka' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:2945817-1: 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].