Pennisetum purpureum

Pennisetum purpureum
Pennisetum purpureum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Tribe: Paniceae
Genus: Pennisetum
Species: P. purpureum
Binomial name
Pennisetum purpureum
Schumach. 1827

Pennisetum purpureum (Napier Grass or Uganda Grass) is a species of grass native to the tropical grasslands of Africa. It is a tall perennial plant, growing to 2–4.5 metres (6.6–14.8 ft) tall, rarely up to 7.5 metres (25 ft), with leaves 30–120 centimetres (12–47 in) long and 1–5 centimetres (0.39–2.0 in) broad.

The name Elephant grass derives from it being a favourite food of elephants.

Contents

Cultivation

Forage

It has a very high productivity as a forage grass for livestock and wildlife.

Biofuel

It can be killed with a light layer of frost but is usually harvested before winter so it can be burnt in power plants. It has a very high productivity as a biofuel crop.

Biological pest control

It has been proposed as a countermeasure to the corn borer in North America, since it attracts and traps the pest.[1] See Push-pull technology

Erosion control

It was planted in Kenya on artificial terraces helping to stop erosion, according to John Seymour.

Phytoremediation plant

ABC Science reports that "A team of Australian and Chinese scientists claims to have pioneered a method, using it as a Phytoremediation plant, to decontaminate polluted land and provide an ecologically renewable energy resource in the process." [2]

References

  1. ^ Dr. Ricarda Steinbrecher, testimony to Agriculture and Forestry Committee of Senate of Canada, 5 December 2006
  2. ^ Grass could turn toxic waste into energy

External links

Data related to Pennisetum purpureum at Wikispecies


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