Setaria intermedia

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Botanical Name : Setaria intermedia Roem & Schult
Synonyms : Setaria tomentosa (Roxb.) Kunth.
Common Name : Kutela, Chiktu, Chikaniu
Plant Family : Poaceae (Gramineae)
According to the Rules of ICBN the names of the families should end in -aceae. Thus the new name for the family Gramineae became Poaceae. However, the name Gramineae is also exempted and conserved under 'Nomina Conservanda' because of their constant use for a long time.
Plant Form : Grasses
Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

Habit : An annual grass with culms, ascending, compressed towards the base, branchy from 30-45 cm high.
Leaves : Soft, covered with much long, soft hair, sheaths half the length of the joints, mouth bearded.
Inflorescence and Flowers :
- Spikes compound, terminal, consisting of ten or twelve, (generally alternate though sometimes in pairs) spikelets of 6 or 8 flowers, intermixed with hispid bristles, they are not placed on one side, but round the common rachis, which is generally 3-sided.
- Calyx, the two interior valves five-nerved, the second, half the length of the carol.
- Carol has a third neuter valve.
- Seed transversely wrinkled.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : October
Significance : The grass is reported to be liked by the cattle.