Melinis nerviglumis
Melinis nerviglumis (Franch.) Zizka
Melinis nerviglumis is a grass species native to tropical and southern Africa, the western Indian Ocean islands, and Indochina. Commonly known as mountain red top or bristle-leaved red top, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its purple flowers, which turn white as they mature. The species was published in 1988 and is found in regions such as Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, and others.
Description
Melinis nerviglumis (Franch.) Zizka, a member of the Poaceae family, is characterized by its veined glumes, as suggested by its scientific name. It is distributed across various African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Provinces, and others, as well as in the Caprivi Strip, Congo, Ethiopia, Free State, Gabon, Hawaii, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Northern Provinces, Swaziland, and Tanzania. The plant is cultivated for ornamental purposes due to its showy purple flowers, which are produced in summer and later turn white. Seeds can be collected from mature flowers for propagation. This grass is valued for its visual appeal in garden settings.
Distribution
Angola · Botswana · Burundi · Cape Provinces · Caprivi Strip · Congo · Ethiopia · Free State · Gabon · Hawaii · Kenya · KwaZulu-Natal · Lesotho · Madagascar · Malawi · Mozambique · Namibia · Northern Provinces · Swaziland · Tanzania · Thailand · Uganda · Vietnam · Zambia · Zaïre · Zimbabwe
Synonyms
Melinis bachmanniiMelinis muenzneriMelinis nyassanaMelinis setifoliaMelinis villosipesPanicum busseanumPanicum elongatumPanicum gracillimumRhynchelytrum filifoliumRhynchelytrum nerviglumeRhynchelytrum nyassanumRhynchelytrum ramosumRhynchelytrum rhodesianumRhynchelytrum setifoliumRhynchelytrum stuposumTricholaena busseanaTricholaena cheralieriTricholaena congoensisTricholaena filifoliaTricholaena nerviglumisTricholaena rhodesianaTricholaena rhodesiana var. glabrescensTricholaena setifoliaRhynchelythrum rhodesianumRhynchelythrum setifoliumRhynchelythrum ramosumRhynchelythrum stuposumRhynchelythrum filifoliumRhynchelythrum nyassanumTricholaena rosea var. vanheei