Common signal grass (Urochloa brizantha, Austral. Paniceae: 233 (1987))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (A.Rich.) R.D.Webster

Bibliography: Austral. Paniceae: 233 (1987)

Year: 1987

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Urochloa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, W. Indian Ocean, SW. Arabian Pen.

Description

Common signal grass, scientifically known as Urochloa brizantha, is a versatile and resilient grass species widely recognized for its significant role in tropical and subtropical environments. Originating from tropical and southern Africa, the species has also been observed in the western regions of the Indian Ocean and the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, underscoring its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions.

As a member of the Poaceae family, Urochloa brizantha showcases the quintessential characteristics of grasses within this family, which includes a wide array of important agricultural and ecological species. The grass is highly valued for its utility in pasture systems due to its robust growth, capacity to thrive under varying moisture conditions, and resistance to many pests and diseases. These attributes make it a prime choice for grazing livestock, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in the regions it populates.

The botanical aspects of Common signal grass were meticulously cataloged in the work titled Austral. Paniceae: 233, published in 1987. This comprehensive documentation has significantly enhanced the understanding of this species and its place within the broader Paniceae tribe. The authoritative classification and description were provided by the distinguished botanist R.D. Webster, who continued the initial work of A. Richard, thus ensuring the continuation and accuracy of botanical documentation.

In summary, Urochloa brizantha is an essential grass species contributing to both agriculture and ecology within its native and introduced ranges. Its study and classification have provided valuable insights into sustainable land management practices and the ecological dynamics of grass-dominated landscapes.

Common Names

En: Common signal grass, Braquiaria, Bread grass, Palisade grass, Palisade signalgrass
Eng: palisade signalgrass, bread grass, palisade grass, palisade signal grass, signal grass
Deu: palisadengras
Por: braquiária-brizanta, capim-brachiaria-brizantha

Synonyms

• Brachiaria brizantha ((A.Rich.) Stapf)
• Brachiaria brizantha var. angustifolia (Stent & J.M.Rattray)
• Brachiaria manzonzoensis (Vanderyst)
• Brachiaria gangangalaensis (Vanderyst)
• Panicum brizanthum var. polystachyum (De Wild. & T.Durand)
• Panicum brizanthum var. pandanifolium (Peter)
• Panicum brizanthum var. latifolium (Oliv.)
• Brachiaria brizantha var. ciliata (Basappa & Muniy.)
• Urochloa brizantha var. ciliata ((Basappa & Muniy.) S.K.Jain)
• Panicum brizanthum var. lasiochloa (Chiov.)
• Panicum brizanthum (A.Rich.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Congo (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 24, 2021 by velez Luis (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:943736-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Brachiaria brizantha (A.Rich.) Stapf)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705865)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705862)

Specifications

Growth form>: Stoloniferous

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.0