Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Species:
caput-medusae
ID:
904027

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Nevski

Source:
wcs

Year:
1933

Citation Micro:
Trudy Bot. Inst. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., Ser. 1, Fl. Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 1: 22 (1933)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000903362

Common Names

  • Taeniatherum caput-medusae
  • Medusa's Head Bristle-grass
  • Medusa's Head Bristlegrass

Searching for Taeniatherum caput-medusae? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Description

Taeniatherum caput-medusae (also called Medusa's head grass, among many other common names) is an annual grass native to Europe and Asia. It is a tufted grass that grows up to 30 cm tall and has narrow, flat leaves. It grows in open woods, grasslands, and disturbed areas.

Uses & Benefits

Taeniatherum caput-medusae is used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, antispasmodic, and antirheumatic. It is also used as a natural insecticide and as a soil conditioner.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Taeniatherum caput-medusae is a small, yellow-green spikelet, with awns that are 2-3 mm long. The seed is a small caryopsis, with a thin seed coat. The seedlings are slender, with a single, upright culm.

Searching for Taeniatherum caput-medusae? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Cultivation and Propagation

Taeniatherum caput-medusae is a perennial grass that is native to Europe. It is best grown in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is done by seed or division of the clumps in spring or fall. It can also be propagated by cuttings taken in spring or summer.

Where to Find Taeniatherum caput-medusae

Taeniatherum caput-medusae is native to Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. It can be found in dry and rocky habitats.

Taeniatherum caput-medusae FAQ

What is the scientific name of Taeniatherum caput-medusae?

Taeniatherum caput-medusae

What is the common name of Taeniatherum caput-medusae?

Medusa's Head Bristle Grass

Where does Taeniatherum caput-medusae grow?

Taeniatherum caput-medusae is found in the western United States, from California to Montana.

Species in the Taeniatherum 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

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Sergéi Nevski (1908-1938): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Nevski' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:424080-1: 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].