Status:
valid
Authors:
Henrard
Source:
wcs
Year:
1937
Citation Micro:
Blumea, Suppl. 1: 230 (1937)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000894924
Common Names
- Pseudoraphis balansae
- Balansae Grass
- Balansae Reed
Description
Pseudoraphis balansae (also called Balansae, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to South America. It has a creeping rhizome and grows up to 30 cm tall. Its leaves are lanceolate, up to 8 cm long, and its flowers are white or pink. It is found in moist meadows, grasslands, and open forests.
Uses & Benefits
Pseudoraphis balansae is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat fever, headache, and other ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Pseudoraphis balansae is a small, white, star-shaped flower. The seed is a small, dark brown, oval-shaped seed. The seedlings are thin, with narrow, pointed leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Pseudoraphis balansae can be propagated by seed or vegetative cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained, sandy soil and kept moist until germination. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the stems and placed in a rooting medium. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into a pot or garden bed.
Where to Find Pseudoraphis balansae
Pseudoraphis balansae is native to South Africa and can be found in grasslands and open woodlands.
Species in the Pseudoraphis 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:418863-1: 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].