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Thysanolaena latifolia (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Honda |
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Synonyms
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Author: L.’t Mannetje |
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Common names Tiger grass (En). Indonesia: awis (Sundanese), menjalin wuwu (Javanese), lantebung (Makasar). Malaysia: buloh teberau, rumput buloh. Philippines: tambu (Tagalog), gatbo (Bikol), buybuy (Ilokano). Laos: kh'èèm kh'ôông. Thailand: tongkong, laolaeng (northern), ya-yung (southern). Origin and geographic distribution Tiger grass occurs from India to Indo-China and China and throughout southeast Asia. It is also occasionally cultivated outside this region. Description A strongly tufted, very robust perennial grass with erect or slightly spreading solid bamboo-like culms up to 3.5 m tall. Leaf-sheath hairy along outer margin; ligule a scarious membrane, 1-2 mm long; leaf-blade lanceolate-acuminate, 30-65 cm x 3-7.5 cm, base broad and rounded or subcordate, margins scaberulous, conspicuously glaucous beneath. Inflorescence a terminal huge and drooping panicle, up to 140 cm long, well exerted, branches divided and subdivided into many branchlets; spikelets awnless, short pedicelled, falling with part of the pedicel, often in pairs on a common peduncle, 2-flowered; lower glumes clasping. Caryopsis subglobose to ovoid, 0.6 mm long, reddish-brown. Use Young leaves and stem tips are used to feed cattle and buffaloes. Its large inflorescences are used in making brooms. The grass is occasionally planted for ornamental purposes and as a hedge. Properties N concentration 1.2%. The in vitro DM digestibility of leaves ranged from 40% to 60% (Falvey et al. 1981). Toxicity None has been reported. Ecology It flowers throughout the year at lower altitudes. Propagation and planting Tiger grass can be propagated by rhizomes, rooted culms or seeds. It is cultivated for broom making, but not so much for forage. Weeding is required at the early stage of establishment. Growth and development In light shade seedlings grow slowly at first, but are then able to compete with other low-growing plants. Performance It is grazed in its natural state (Manidool 1992). Links
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