Broadleaved bristlegrass (Setaria palmifolia, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 42: 186 (1914))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (J.Koenig) Stapf

Bibliography: J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 42: 186 (1914)

Year: 1914

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Setaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to E. Australia

Description

Broadleaved bristlegrass, scientifically known as Setaria palmifolia, is a notable member of the Poaceae family, a vast group of grasses globally significant in both ecological and economic contexts. This species was formally described by (J.Koenig) Stapf and has been documented in the Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany, volume 42, page 186, in the year 1914.

Setaria palmifolia is primarily distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia extending to Eastern Australia. This wide geographic range underscores the plant’s adaptability to various environmental conditions and its resilience across diverse climates. The common habitat of Broadleaved bristlegrass includes moist, shaded areas, often thriving along the margins of forests, riverbanks, and other areas where moisture is abundant.

Characterized by its broad leaves, which give the plant its common name, Broadleaved bristlegrass has a distinct appearance compared to other members of its genus. The leaves are typically long and wide with a pronounced texture, making the plant relatively easy to identify in the wild. The foliage’s lush, palm-like quality is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, aiding in efficient photosynthesis and water retention, vital for survival in varying climates.

Ecologically, Setaria palmifolia plays a crucial role in its native habitats. The dense foliage provides ground cover that helps in soil stabilization, reducing erosion and maintaining soil health. Additionally, it serves as a source of food and shelter for various fauna, contributing to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

In summary, Broadleaved bristlegrass (Setaria palmifolia) is a key species within the Poaceae family, noted for its wide, palm-like leaves and robustness across tropical and subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia. Its ecological contributions and unique adaptability make it a significant subject of study in the fields of botany and environmental science.

Common Names

Eng: broadleaved bristlegrass, highland pitpit, palm grass
En: Broadleaved bristlegrass, Highland pitpit, Palm grass

Synonyms

• Panicum neurodes var. kleinianum (A.Braun)
• Agrostis plicata (Lour.)
• Panicum nepalense (Spreng.)
• Setaria paniculifera ((Steud.) E.Fourn. ex Hemsl.)
• Panicum neurodes var. amplissimum ((Steud.) A.Braun)
• Panicum lene (Steud.)
• Chamaeraphis palmifolia ((J.Koenig) Kuntze)
• Panicum neurodes var. lene ((Steud.) A.Braun)
• Panicum kleinianum (Nees ex Andersson)
• Chamaeraphis neurodes ((Schult.) Kuntze)
• Panicum neurodes var. conjungens (A.Braun)
• Chamaeraphis sulcata ((Aubl.) Kuntze)
• Chamaeraphis nepalensis ((Spreng.) Kuntze)
• Panicum neurodes var. roxburghianum (A.Braun)
• Chaetochloa sulcata ((Aubl.) Hitchc.)
• Chaetochloa palmifolia ((J.Koenig) Hitchc. & Chase)
• Setaria lenis ((Steud.) Miq.)
• Setaria effusa (E.Fourn.)
• Setaria sulcata ((Aubl.) Desv.)
• Chamaeraphis effusa ((E.Fourn.) Kuntze)
• Panicum palmatum (R.Schleich.)
• Panicum neurodes (Schult.)
• Chaetochloa effusa ((E.Fourn.) Hitchc.)
• Panicum paniculiferum (Steud.)
• Panicum palmifolium (J.Koenig)
• Chamaeraphis paniculifera ((Steud.) Kuntze)
• Panicum amplissimum (Steud.)
• Panicum mexicanum (Scribn. & Merr.)
• Panicum neurodes var. thwaitesii (A.Braun)
• Panicum plicatum var. haitiense (Griseb.)
• Panicum sulcatum (Aubl.)
• Panicum plicatum (Roxb.)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Borneo (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Belize (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Equatorial Guinea (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Villien Philippe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Villien Philippe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Marc GROUT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Dan Maxwell (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.

Flower

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Juan Francisco Iaconis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Juan Francisco Iaconis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by Abhimanyu singh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Pogon Ophio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 19, 2022 by bastian solis jimenez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Louise Dias (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by Louise Dias (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Dan Maxwell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Dan Maxwell (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:421711-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2702958)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Setaria palmifolia (J.Koenig) Stapf)

Specifications

Growth