Caruzo (Ichnanthus pallens, Fl. Hongk.: 414 (1861))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Sw.) Munro ex Benth.

Bibliography: Fl. Hongk.: 414 (1861)

Year: 1861

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ichnanthus

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & WC. Trop. Africa, Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to NE. Australia, Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Caruzo, scientifically known as Ichnanthus pallens, is a plant belonging to the Poaceae family, a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly referred to as grasses. This diverse species is found widely across the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

First documented in “Flora Hongkongensis” on page 414 in the year 1861, Ichnanthus pallens was described by two notable botanists, Swartz and Munro who later collaborated with Bentham for its formal classification. Respected for its adaptability, Caruzo is native to a broad geographical range, flourishing in diverse climates from Western and West-Central Africa to the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, extending to Northeastern Australia, and reaching the Americas.

The plant exhibits the typical features of the Poaceae family, which includes an array of characteristics such as wind-pollinated flowers, parallel-veined leaves, and hollow stems. Caruzo’s adaptability to various environments is a testament to its resilient nature, making it a subject of interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Whether contributing to the local biodiversity or serving an ecological niche within its habitat, Ichnanthus pallens is a remarkable species reflecting the rich biological tapestry of tropical and subtropical ecosystems. Its widespread presence across multiple continents underscores its evolutionary success and importance within the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Eng: water grass
En: Caruzo, Water Grass

Synonyms

• Panicum pallens var. swartzii (Nees)
• Hildaea pallens ((Sw.) C.Silva & R.P.Oliveira)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Laos (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Siqueira Geovane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Siqueira Geovane (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Siqueira Geovane (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-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/2704501)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:405749-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ichnanthus pallens (Sw.) Munro ex Benth.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth