Status:
valid
Authors:
(Labill.) Baill.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1894
Citation Micro:
Hist. Pl. 12: 280 (1894)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000889319
Common Names
- Four-toothed Pentapogon
- Pentapogon Grass
- Four-toothed Pentapogon
Description
Pentapogon quadrifidus (also called 'Four-cleft Pentapogon', among many other common names) is an annual grass with a dense tuft of narrow, flattened leaves. It is native to southern Africa and typically grows in dry grassland, disturbed areas, and open woodlands.
Uses & Benefits
Pentapogon quadrifidus is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a ground cover. It is also used for erosion control and for its ability to attract pollinators.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Pentapogon quadrifidus var. parviflorus (Benth.) D.I.Morris
Pentapogon quadrifidus var. quadrifidus
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Pentapogon quadrifidus is a small yellow flower with five petals. The seed is a small, dark brown, oval-shaped seed. The seedlings are thin and have a single, long, narrow leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Pentapogon quadrifidus is a warm-season perennial grass that can be grown from seed. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in early spring in a sunny location. Division can be done in early spring or late fall.
Where to Find Pentapogon quadrifidus
Pentapogon quadrifidus can be found in the grasslands of South Africa.
Species in the Pentapogon 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:415372-1: 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].