Oplismenus burmannii

• Botanical Name : Oplismenus burmannii (Retz.) P.Beauv.
• Synonyms : Hippagrostis burmannii (Retz.) Kuntze, Oplismenus affinis Schult., Orthopogon burmannii (Retz.) R. Br., Panicum burmannii Retz.
• 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 Gramineaebecame 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) : Van Chetana Kendra

About Oplismenus burmannii Plant :

• Habit : A very slender diffusely branched leafy grass with stems 15-45 cm long, nodes glabrous or hairy.
• Leaves : Ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, sheaths, glabrous or hairy.
• Inflorescence :
  • Panicle, peduncle slender, branches of panicle spike like, few distant, subsessile, rachis slender, angular, clothed with hairs, nearly as long as the spikelets.
  • Spikelets second, solitary or 2-nate, pedicels short, hairy.
  • Glumes 4, lower incolucral glume, ovate, obtuse, 3-5 nerved, hyaline, silky hairy and ciliate, upper involucral glume similar and subequal to the lower, 5-nerved, with an awn, lower floral glume broadly ovate, subobtuse, concave, hyaline silky-hairy and ciliate, 7-9 nerved, empty, epaleate, upper floral glume as long as the glume, membranous, ovate oblong acute with strongly involute margins.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : October
• Significance :
  • It is much relished by cattle, particularly when young and green.
  • It also yields good hay.