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Imperata cylindrica
  • Cogongrass

a perennial member of the Imperata genus in the family Gramineae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Imperata cylindrica has 0 edible uses listed
Imperata cylindrica has 0 material uses listed
Imperata cylindrica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young inflorescence and young shoots - cooked[1][2].

Root - fibrous but pleasant to chew, containing starch and sugar[3][1][2]. Fairly sweet, the taste is sweetest in the wet season in Australia and worst from plants growing in sand[4].

The ash of the plant is used as a salt substitute[1].

Flowers

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Unknown part

Salt

Material uses

The leaves are woven to make mats, bags and raincoats[5][6][4].

The inflorescences are valued for stuffing pillows and cushions[7]. The stems are used in thatching roofs[5][6][8][7]. A fibre obtained from the leaves is used in making paper[5][6][9].

Can be planted on sandy soils to prevent erosion[9][7]. The plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover[10].

Unknown part

Paper
Thatching
Weaving
Stuffing

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The flowers and the roots are antibacterial, diuretic, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic and tonic[11][12][8].

The flowers are used in the treatment of haemorrhages, wounds etc[13]. They are decocted and used to treat urinary tract infections, fevers, thirst etc[11][13]. The root is astringent, antifebrile, antivinous, diuretic, emollient, haemostatic, restorative and tonic[13][14]. It is used in the treatment of nose bleeds, haematuria, haematemesis, oedema and jaundice[12]. The root has antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus dysenteriae etc[12]. A decoction of the root is used as an anthelmintic and also to treat digestive disorders such as indigestion, diarrhoea and dysentery[7]. The root bark is febrifuge, restorative and tonic[13].

Extracts of the plant have shown viricidal and anticancer activity[13].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Antivinous
Astringent
Cancer
Diuretic
Emollient
Febrifuge
Restorative
Sialagogue
Styptic
Tonic
Anthelmintic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover


Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates quickly, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring as the plant comes into growth. Division is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the year, though winter divisions are best potted up in the greenhouse and planted out in late spring[K].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Imperata cylindrica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[15][16].

This species is only hardy in the southern part of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c when dormant[16], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The var. I. cylindrica major. (Nees.)C.E.Hubb. is used medicinally in China[12] and as a wild food in Australia[4]. This species is quite closely related to sugar cane, it has been interbred experimentally with that species in India[4].

Plants grow away vigorously after a fire, often spreading freely to infest the burnt areas[3][4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Imperata cylindrica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Imperata cylindrica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Imperata cylindrica
Genus
Imperata
Family
Gramineae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[11][12][8][13][14][7]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][4][7][8][9][10]
Botanic
[17][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
1.2 x 0.6 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (1976-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. ISBN 0-207-14383-8 (1989-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria. ()
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
  15. ? Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-1219-9 (1989-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  17. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

"image:Imperata cylindrica spikes.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Imperata_cylindrica&oldid=77901"
Facts about "Imperata cylindrica"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyGramineae +
Belongs to genusImperata +
Functions asGround cover + and Earth stabiliser +
Has binomial nameImperata cylindrica +
Has common nameCogongrass +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partFlowers +, Leaves +, Root + and Unknown part +
Has edible useUnknown use + and Salt +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure +, High wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeWind +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone8 +
Has imageImperata cylindrica spikes.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material usePaper +, Thatching +, Weaving + and Stuffing +
Has mature height1.2 +
Has mature width0.6 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Antivinous +, Astringent +, Cancer +, Diuretic +, Emollient +, Febrifuge +, Restorative +, Sialagogue +, Styptic +, Tonic + and Anthelmintic +
Has primary imageImperata cylindrica spikes.jpg +
Has search nameimperata cylindrica + and cogongrass +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameImperata cylindrica +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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