Feather pappus grass (Enneapogon desvauxii, Ess. Agrostogr.: 82 (1812))

Family: Poaceae

Author: P.Beauv.

Bibliography: Ess. Agrostogr.: 82 (1812)

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Enneapogon

Vegetable: False

Observations: Africa, Temp. Asia to Indian Subcontinent, WC. U.S.A. to Mexico, Peru to Argentina

Description

Feather pappus grass, known scientifically as Enneapogon desvauxii, is a fascinating and resilient species belonging to the Poaceae family. Originally described in 1812 by the botanist P. Beauv., this grass is noted for its remarkable adaptability and wide distribution.

This hardy grass can be found across various continents, thriving in a range of climates and regions. In Africa, it stands resilient against the diverse environmental challenges, showing a remarkable ability to adapt to both arid and more temperate conditions. Its journey extends across temperate Asia, sweeping through the Indian Subcontinent, showcasing its versatility in diverse habitats.

Crossing the Atlantic, Feather pappus grass establishes its presence in the western and central regions of the United States, stretching down into Mexico. Its reach doesn’t stop there; it continues further south across the Americas, making itself at home from Peru to Argentina. This extensive distribution speaks volumes about the grass’s adaptability and resilience.

The structural characteristics of Feather pappus grass contribute significantly to its robustness. The plant’s feather-like pappus aids in effective seed dispersal, allowing it to colonize new areas with ease. This feature, combined with its hardy nature, makes Enneapogon desvauxii an integral part of the ecosystems it inhabits, contributing to soil stabilization and providing forage for livestock in some regions.

In summary, Feather pappus grass (Enneapogon desvauxii) is more than just a grass. It is a testament to nature’s incredible adaptability and resilience, thriving across continents and a variety of climatic conditions. This species, with its widespread presence and ecological significance, underscores the importance of grasses in maintaining the balance within diverse ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: feather pappus grass, nine-awn pappus grass, spike pappus grass
Afr: kalkgras, wondergras
En: Feather pappus grass, Nine-awn pappus grass, Spike pappus grass
Af: Kalkgras, Wondergras
He: ציצן קצר
: Nineawn pappusgrass

Synonyms

• Pappophorum bulbosum (Fig. & De Not.)
• Pappophorum brachystachyum (Jaub. & Spach)
• Enneapogon wrightii ((S.Watson) Roshev.)
• Pappophorum fasciculatum (Chiov.)
• Pappophorum nanum (Steud.)
• Pappophorum arabicum (Hochst. ex Steud.)
• Pappophorum figarianum (Fig. & De Not.)
• Pappophorum wrightii (S.Watson)
• Pappophorum pusillum ((Rendle) K.Schum.)
• Enneapogon phleioides (Roem. & Schult.)
• Pappophorum vincentianum (J.A.Schmidt)
• Enneapogon borealis ((Griseb.) Honda)
• Enneapogon pusillus (Rendle)
• Pappophorum jaminianum (Coss. & Durieu ex Boiss.)
• Pappophorum phleoides (Turcz.)
• Pappophorum mexicanum (E.Fourn.)
• Enneapogon brachystachyus ((Jaub. & Spach) Stapf)
• Cottea sarmentosa (Nees ex Steud.)
• Pappophorum brachystachyum var. trilophum (Chiov.)
• Enneapogon brachystachyus var. macrantherus (Stapf)
• Enneapogon desvauxii subsp. borealis ((Griseb.) Tzvelev)
• Pappophorum boreale (Griseb.)
• Czerniaevia rupestris (Turcz. ex Kom.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Chile North (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Libya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Niger (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Peru (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Utah (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Jan 19, 2009 by Pierre-Emmanuel GAY (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 21, 2011 by Pierre-Emmanuel GAY (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 21, 2011 by Pierre-Emmanuel GAY (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2703892)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:400626-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Enneapogon desvauxii P.Beauv.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth