Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Species:
africanus
ID:
901596

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Poir.) Robyns & Tournay

Source:
wcs

Year:
1955

Citation Micro:
Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 25: 242 (1955)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000900931

Common Names

  • African Dropseed
  • African Wire Grass
  • African Sporobolus

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Description

Sporobolus africanus (also called African dropseed, among many other common names) is a species of grass native to Africa. It is a tufted perennial grass growing up to 1 m tall, with long, narrow leaves and a flowering stem bearing a dense, cylindrical panicle of spikelets. It is found in open woodlands, grasslands, and disturbed areas.

Uses & Benefits

Sporobolus africanus is used as a soil stabilizer, erosion control, and as a source of biomass for biofuel production.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Sporobolus africanus has small, yellow-green flowers that are arranged in a dense, cylindrical spike. The seeds are small, dark brown and have a smooth, shiny surface. The seedlings are small and have a single, narrow leaf.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Sporobolus africanus is a perennial grass that is native to Africa. It is typically grown in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. It is tolerant of drought and can be propagated by seed or division. It can be used in lawns, meadows, and as a groundcover.

Where to Find Sporobolus africanus

Sporobolus africanus is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, India, and the Middle East.

Sporobolus africanus FAQ

What is the scientific name of Sporobolus africanus?

Sporobolus africanus

What is the common name of Sporobolus africanus?

African Dropseed

What is the natural habitat of Sporobolus africanus?

Dry, sandy soils in open woodlands

Species in the Sporobolus genus

Sporobolus acinifolius, Sporobolus actinocladus, Sporobolus acuminatus, Sporobolus adustus, Sporobolus aeneus, Sporobolus africanus, Sporobolus agrostoides, Sporobolus airiformis, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus albicans, Sporobolus aldabrensis, Sporobolus amaliae, Sporobolus angustifolius, Sporobolus apiculatus, Sporobolus atrovirens, Sporobolus australasicus, Sporobolus bahamensis, Sporobolus balansae, Sporobolus bechuanicus, Sporobolus blakei, Sporobolus bogotensis, Sporobolus bosseri, Sporobolus brockmanii, Sporobolus buckleyi, Sporobolus caespitosus, Sporobolus camporum, Sporobolus capillaris, Sporobolus caroli, Sporobolus centrifugus, Sporobolus clandestinus, Sporobolus coahuilensis, Sporobolus collettii, Sporobolus compactus, Sporobolus compositus, Sporobolus confinis, Sporobolus congoensis, Sporobolus consimilis, Sporobolus contiguus, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus cordofanus, Sporobolus coromandelianus, Sporobolus creber, Sporobolus crucensis, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus cubensis, Sporobolus curtissii, Sporobolus diandrus, Sporobolus dinklagei, Sporobolus discosporus, Sporobolus disjunctus,

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

Jean Louis Marie Poiret (1755-1834): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Poir.' in the authors string.
Frans Hubert Edouard Arthur Walter Robyns (1901-1986): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Robyns' in the authors string.
Roland Louis Jules Alfred Tournay (1925-1972): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Tournay' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:422594-1: 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].