Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willdenow

Synonyms:

Mimosa virgata Linnaeus (1753); Acuan virgatum (Linnaeus) Medikus (1786); Desmanthus pernambucanus (Linnaeus) Thellung (1912).

Description:

Perennial, herbaceous, deep rooted, stems erect growing up to 1 m high from a basal crown.

Distribution:

Originated in America, found from Central-South U.S.A. to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay. Introduced/naturalized in other tropical regions such as Indonesia and New Caledonia.

Habitat:

Adapted to a broad range of tropical/subtropical environments; survives frosts with growing shoots from the crown; on slopes, riversides, open forest, low sandy fields, irrigation channels.

Use:

Part of native grasslands in Americas but not commercially used. In India used as cut forage, in Australia being evaluated for permanent pastures. In some places/conditions may become a weed. Green matter production 23-70 t/ha. Adapted to defoliation by early cut or grazing. Good potential in neutral/alkaline soils and for rotations. Propagated by scarified seeds 2-6 kg/ha, inoculated with specific strain of Bradyrhizobium.

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