Chloris virgata

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Botanical Name : Chloris virgata Sw.
Chloris is derived from chloros which means green and Virgata means virgate, twiggy.
Synonyms : Chloris compressa DC.
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 : A perennialherb with a creeping base.
Stem : Stout, flattened, usually leafy, decumbent and much proliferously branched below.
Leaves : Broad, flat acute, upper sheaths more or less inflated margins, thin and membranous. Ligule a thin narrow, membranous ridge.
Inflorescence :
- Spikes 6-15, erect crowded at the end of the peduncle, 2.5-6 cm long, rachis fine, angular. Spikelets about 2.5 mm long, 2-awned, short-stalked, consisting of 4 glumes.
- Lower involucral glume slender, subulate, with the keel globerulous, 1-nerved, upper involucral glume oblong-lanceolate, bifid at the apex, glabrous.
- Lower floral glume oblong-ovate, cymbiform and rather deep, bifid at the apex, and awned in the sinus, awn about 6 mm long, bearded at base.
- Palea much narrower and rather shorter often reduplicate, toothed or notched.
- Rachilla somewhat adnate shorter often reduplicate, toothed or notched.
- Rachilla somewhat adnate to lower floral glume.
Fruit : Grain fusiform, sometimes slightly curved, pericarp loose.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : August - December
Significance : It is considered to be a nutritious fodder.