Family: Poaceae
Author: (L.) P.Beauv.
Bibliography: Ess. Agrostogr.: 54, 170 (1812)
Year: 1812
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Oplismenus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
Basketgrass, scientifically known as Oplismenus hirtellus, is a unique plant native to the tropical and subtropical regions around the world. This fascinating species belongs to the Poaceae family, one of the largest plant families known for its vital role in agriculture and ecosystems. Introduced in 1812 by P.Beauv., its characteristics and adaptability have since garnered much scientific interest and appreciation.
Found primarily in diverse tropical and subtropical climates, Basketgrass thrives in shaded, moist environments, often carpeting forest floors with its vibrant green foliage. The plant exhibits a carpet-like growth pattern thanks to its creeping stems, which make it an excellent ground cover option for gardeners seeking to prevent soil erosion or enhance aesthetic appeal in garden landscapes.
Oplismenus hirtellus stands out with its soft, hairy leaves and slender stems, which can either crawl along the ground or rise slightly depending on environmental conditions. It is an adaptable species that can tolerate varying levels of light and moisture, contributing to its extensive distribution across different territories. Basketgrass blooms with small, inconspicuous flowers that cluster together, ensuring the continuation of its species through effective seed production.
In addition to its ornamental use, Basketgrass also plays a pivotal ecological role. Its dense growth habit helps to suppress weed populations and maintain soil structure, supporting the complex ecosystem of tropical and subtropical regions. Researchers and horticulturists continue to study Oplismenus hirtellus, acknowledging its potential in landscape restoration and biodiversity conservation projects.
Overall, Basketgrass embodies the resilience and versatility of the Poaceae family, contributing both functionally and aesthetically to environments where it naturally occurs. This plant, with its enduring presence since its documentation in the early 19th century, remains an excellent example of nature’s ingenuity in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity.
Common Names
Eng: basketgrass, basket grass, bristle basket grass, woods grass, wood grass
Swe: ampelhirs
En: Basketgrass, Basket grass, Bristle basket grass, Woods grass, Wood grass, Wavyleaf basketgrass
Fi: Riippahirssi
Sv: Ampelhirs
Synonyms
- Panicum hirtellum (L.)
- Oplismenus aemulus var. densiflorus (U.Scholz)
- Oplismenus undulatifolius var. microphyllus ((Honda) Ohwi)
- Oplismenus hirtellus f. lanceolatus (U.Scholz)
- Panicum cubense ((Spreng.) Steud.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus var. imbecillis ((R.Br.) Fosberg & Sachet)
- Panicum nuttallianum (Steud.)
- Hippagrostis loliacea ((Lam.) Kuntze)
- Oplismenus aristulatus (Burcham)
- Oplismenus oahuaensis (Nees & Meyen ex Steud.)
- Oplismenus africanus (P.Beauv.)
- Oplismenus imbecillis ((R.Br.) Roem. & Schult.)
- Hekaterosachne elatior (Steud.)
- Oplismenus psilostachys (Honda)
- Oplismenus velutinus ((G.Mey.) Schult.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. psilostachys ((Honda) U.Scholz)
- Orthopogon aemulus (R.Br.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. imbecillis ((R.Br.) U.Scholz)
- Orthopogon velutinus ((G.Mey.) Spreng.)
- Orthopogon imbecillis (R.Br.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus f. imbecillis ((R.Br.) U.Scholz)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. acuminatus (U.Scholz)
- Panicum incanum (Schumach.)
- Oplismenus undulatifolius var. imbecillis ((R.Br.) Hack.)
- Oplismenus brasiliensis (Raddi)
- Panicum raddianum (Steud.)
- Panicum imbecille ((R.Br.) Trin.)
- Setaria ocreata (Spreng.)
- Setaria hirtella ((L.) Schult.)
- Oplismenus loliaceus ((Lam.) P.Beauv.)
- Orthopogon parvifolius (Nutt.)
- Oplismenus depauperatus (E.Fourn.)
- Oplismenus parvifolius ((Nutt.) Kunth)
- Oplismenus latifolius (Haenke ex Steud.)
- Panicum barbifultum (Hochst. ex Schltdl.)
- Panicum foliaceum (Steud.)
- Panicum aemulum ((R.Br.) Steud.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. loliaceus ((Lam.) Mez ex Peter)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. fasciculatus (U.Scholz)
- Orthopogon cubensis (Spreng.)
- Oplismenus aemulus ((R.Br.) Roem. & Schult.)
- Echinochloa cubensis ((Spreng.) Schult. & Schult.f.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus var. microphyllus ((Honda) Fosberg & Sachet)
- Orthopogon flaccidus (R.Br.)
- Panicum brevisetum (Steud.)
- Oplismenus cubensis ((Spreng.) Kunth)
- Panicum oahuaense (Steud.)
- Hippagrostis hirtella ((L.) Kuntze)
- Oplismenus foliaceus (P.Beauv.)
- Orthopogon hirtellus ((L.) R.Br.)
- Milium undulatifolium (Moench)
- Oplismenus minor (Merr.)
- Oplismenus barbifultus (Hochst. ex Hack.)
- Oplismenus chondrosioides (E.Fourn.)
- Oplismenus flaccidus ((R.Br.) Roem. & Schult.)
- Oplismenus tsushimensis (Honda)
- Panicum africanum ((P.Beauv.) Poir.)
- Panicum balfourii (Baker)
- Orthopogon africanus ((P.Beauv.) Sweet)
- Oplismenus microphyllus (Honda)
- Panicum flaccidum ((R.Br.) Steud.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. tsushimensis ((Honda) U.Scholz)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. microphyllus ((Honda) U.Scholz)
- Oplismenus aemulus var. lasiorhachis (Domin)
- Oplismenus compositus var. loliaceus ((Lam.) Hack.)
- Oplismenus acuminatus (Nees ex Steud.)
- Oplismenus borhidii (Catasús)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. capensis (Mez ex U.Scholz)
- Oplismenus aemulus var. flaccidus ((R.Br.) Domin)
- Oplismenus brevisetus ((Steud.) Nees ex Steud.)
- Orthopogon loliaceus ((Lam.) Spreng.)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Congo (native)
- Cook Is. (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Equatorial Guinea (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Kermadec Is. (native)
- Korea (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mali (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Marquesas (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- New Zealand North (native)
- New Zealand South (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Niue (native)
- Norfolk Is. (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Pitcairn Is. (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rodrigues (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Society Is. (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Togo (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Tuamotu (native)
- Tubuai Is. (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Nauru (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705737)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1004002-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P.Beauv.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth
