Antelope Grass
Echinochloa pyramidalis (Lam.) Hitchc. & Chase
Echinochloa pyramidalis, known as antelope grass, is a perennial grass species native to tropical regions of Africa and the Americas. It is widely distributed across the Afrotropical, Australasian, Nearctic, Neotropical, and Palaearctic regions, and has been introduced to various other countries. This grass is commonly found in wetland environments such as riverbeds, riverbanks, and the edges of ponds. It is considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
Description
Echinochloa pyramidalis is a robust perennial grass that thrives in moist and flooded habitats. It is often found in riverbeds and along the banks of rivers and ponds. The plant is known locally in some regions as 'songue (ub)'. It is well adapted to aquatic and semi-aquatic conditions, making it a common sight in wetland ecosystems. Its pyramidal inflorescence is a distinguishing feature of the species.
Habitat
This grass is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in areas with high moisture levels. It is commonly associated with riverine and lacustrine environments, including flooded plains, marshes, and the margins of lakes and ponds. It is well suited to wetland ecosystems and can tolerate periodic flooding.
Cultivation
Echinochloa pyramidalis is not typically cultivated for ornamental or agricultural purposes. However, it may be found in disturbed or wetland areas where it establishes naturally. It requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions to thrive and is not suited for dry or arid environments. Its growth is favored in full sun to partial shade.
Uses
Echinochloa pyramidalis is not widely used in agriculture or horticulture. However, it may serve as a forage plant for wildlife in its native habitats. In some regions, it is considered an indicator species for wetland ecosystems and is used in ecological studies to assess the health of aquatic environments. Its presence in a wetland can be a sign of stable hydrological conditions.
Other common names
Antelope GrassLimpopo grass
Distribution
Afrotropical · Australasian · Nearctic · Neotropical · Palaearctic · ZA · NP · BR · MX · CM · GY · MG · AU · MF · GF · Table Mountain National Park · CR · Global · BZ · VE · NI · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina · Burundi · Cameroon · Cape Provinces · Caprivi Strip · Central African Repu
Synonyms
Echinochloa frumentacea var. violaceaEchinochloa guadeloupensisEchinochloa holubiiEchinochloa kimpokoensisEchinochloa pyramidalis f. decompositaEchinochloa pyramidalis var. guadeloupensisEchinochloa quadrifariaEchinochloa quadrifaria var. atroviolaceaEchinochloa senegalensisEchinochloa verticillataPanicum atroviolaceumPanicum crus-galli f. aristatumPanicum crus-galli f. muticumPanicum crus-galli var. mollePanicum crus-galli var. polystachyumPanicum frumentaceum var. cuspidatumPanicum hildebrandtiiPanicum holubiiPanicum pyramidalePanicum pyramidale var. hebetatumPanicum pyramidale var. quadrifariumPanicum pyramidale var. spadiceumPanicum quadrifariumPanicum setarioidesPanicum spadiciferumPanicum spadiferumPanicum spectabile var. guadeloupenseEchinochloa pyramidalis var. violaceaPanicum crusgalli var. sphacelatum