Status:
valid
Authors:
Ekman
Source:
wcs
Year:
1911
Citation Micro:
Ark. Bot. 10(17): 36 (1911)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000901602
Common Names
- Steirachne diandra
- Slender Wiregrass
- Wiregrass
Description
Steirachne diandra (also called Bearded Steirachne, among many other common names) is a perennial grass native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is a warm-season grass that grows in dry, sandy soils and is tolerant of drought and heat. It has a bunchgrass form and can reach heights of up to 1.2 meters. Its leaves are flat and can reach up to 25 cm in length.
Uses & Benefits
Steirachne diandra is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. It is also used for its medicinal properties, as it is known to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antifungal properties.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Steirachne diandra is a small, yellowish-green flower head. The seed is a small, brown, flattened, oval-shaped seed. The seedlings are small, with a single, slender, green stem and a few small, narrow leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Steirachne diandra is a shrub native to South Africa. It grows to a height of 2m and prefers full sun and well-drained soils. Propagation is done by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in spring or summer in a well-prepared seedbed. Cuttings should be taken in spring or summer and rooted in a well-drained potting mix.
Where to Find Steirachne diandra
Steirachne diandra is native to the dry grasslands of South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
Steirachne diandra FAQ
What is the growth rate of Steirachne diandra?
The growth rate of Steirachne diandra is slow to moderate.
What is the soil type for Steirachne diandra?
Steirachne diandra prefers sandy, well-drained soils.
What is the water requirement of Steirachne diandra?
Steirachne diandra requires moderate to regular water.
Species in the Steirachne 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:243681-2: 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].