Chionachne gigantea

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Botanical Name : Chionachne gigantea (J.Koenig) Veldkamp
Synonyms : Chionachne koenigii (Spreng.) Thwaites, Chionachne barbata (Roxb.) Benth., Coix gigantea J.Koenig
Common Name : Garolu
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 : Perennial, monoecious herb.
Stem : Culms erect and near the top, bowing a little, ramous, jointed, smooth, joints sometimes bearded.
Leaves : Sheathing, narrow keeled; margins armed with small prickles, on the upper side sometimes a few, sometimes numerous, stiff, white hairs, mouths of the sheaths slightly bearded.
Inflorescence :
- Spikes numerous, pedicelled, terminal, and from the exterior axils, forming altogether a large linear panicle, collected in fascicles of from two to six on a common peduncle, and embraced by a common spathe.
- Pedicels compressed, jointed near the top and there a partial spathe, there insertions are intermixed with lanceolate, chaffy scales.
Flowers :
- Male flowers in pairs, one a little above the other in a second spike above the female.
- Calyx two-flowered; valvelet obliquely oblong, hairy on the outside.
- Corol, glume awnless.
- Female flowers solitary, below the male.
- Calyx or involucre, consisting of one oval, very hard, glossy valve, which embraces most completely the corol, its margins are double, not united.
- Corol four-valve, the interior two long and somewhat fleshy.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : September - October
Significance :
- It is considered to be a poor fodder because of the stiff hairs on sheaths and leaves.
- The stony fruits are used as rosary beads.