Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

338
Poaceae / Gramineae
Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel
(Syn: Imperata allang Jungh.)
English name: Cogongrass, Satintail, Blady grass.
Local name: Siru, Ulu, Dabhori.
Description:
A common perennial grass of cultivated fields, forming tufts of leaves from a
scaly rhizome; about 10-120 cm high; erect, when mature the inflorescence
appear in shiny white colour.
Flowering Period:
April to June.
Habitat:
Very common with banks of water courses.
Uses:
The root is used as emollient in Cambodia, mostly as a
fumigant for piles. In China it is reputed as retorative,
haemostatic and antifebrile. The plant is excellent for
thatching, can be made into paper, and is also relished
by grazing animals after the annual fires when the young
shoots appear. It is seldom eaten when old.
Distribution:
Pakistan, throughout the Old World tropics, extending
to Mediterranean and the Middle East, also in Chile.