Pennisetum clandestinum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (November 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| Pennisetum clandestinum | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex [Emilio Chiovenda |
The tropical grass species Pennisetum clandestinum is known by several common names, most often kikuyu grass, as it is native to the region of East Africa that is home to the Kĩkũyũ tribe. It is perhaps best known as a noxious weed. It has been introduced across Asia, Australia, the Americas, and the Pacific. It has high invasive potential due to its aggressive rhizomes and stolons, with which it penetrates the ground rapidly, forms dense mats, and outcompetes other plant species.
Kikuyu grass grows from a thick network of rhizomatous roots and sends out prostrate stolons which extend along the ground. Rooted nodes send up bunches of grass blades, each blade narrow and up to 5 centimeters in length. It is native to the low-elevation tropics of Kenya and environs, where it grows best in humid heat. It is most common in wet coastal areas.
The plant flourishes by establishing itself in thick mats. It can climb over other plant life, shading it out and producing herbicidal toxins that kill competing plants[citation needed]. It prevents new sprouts of other species from growing and can even kill small tree saplings. It is resistant to mowing and grazing due to its strong network of roots, which easily send up new shoots. It springs up in turfs and lawns, and can ruin architecture by forcing itself up between stones and tiles. The plant is easily introduced to new areas on plowing and digging machinery, which may transfer bits of the rhizome in soil clumps. While the grass spreads well via vegetative reproduction from pieces of rhizome, it is also dispersed via seed.
In some areas kikuyu grass is used as turf or pasture for livestock grazing. In other areas, such as some of the United States, the plant is prohibited. However, it is one of the most popular turf grasses down the Australian East Coast, due to its economical pricing.
