Jaragua grass (Hyparrhenia rufa, D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 304 (1919))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Nees) Stapf

Bibliography: D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 304 (1919)

Year: 1919

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hyparrhenia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, W. Indian Ocean, SC. China to Indo-China

Description

Jaragua grass, with its scientific name Hyparrhenia rufa, belongs to the Poaceae family. This robust and resilient species is widely recognized for its adaptability across various tropical and subtropical regions. Originating in Tropical and Southern Africa, Jaragua grass has successfully extended its reach to the Western Indian Ocean and from South China to Indo-China, showcasing its versatility and robust nature.

First documented in the Flora of Tropical Africa, this grass was detailed in the early 20th century work edited by D. Oliver and his successors, where it appears on page 304 of volume 9, published in 1919. The authority for its classification is attributed to (Nees) Stapf, reflecting long-standing recognition within the botanical community.

Jaragua grass thrives in a variety of environmental conditions. Its ability to grow in diverse climates and soil types makes it a crucial species for forage, offering a reliable feed option for livestock in regions where other vegetation might struggle. Beyond its value in agriculture, this grass plays an essential role in erosion control, helping to stabilize soil and prevent degradation in vulnerable landscapes.

Despite its many benefits, there are considerations regarding the spread of Hyparrhenia rufa into non-native areas. Its vigorous growth can sometimes outcompete local flora, leading to shifts in ecosystem dynamics. However, with proper management, Jaragua grass remains an invaluable asset to regions in need of resilient and productive vegetation.

Overall, Hyparrhenia rufa stands as a testament to the remarkable adaptability and utility of grasses within the Poaceae family. Its historical documentation and broad geographic range underline its importance both ecologically and economically across multiple continents.

Common Names

Deu: jaraguagras, braunes deckgras
Eng: jaraguagrass, giant thatching grass, jaragua grass
Por: capim-jaraguá, capim-provisório, capim-vermelho, jaraguá, sapé-gigante
Afr: geelaartamboekiegras
Spa: yaragua, yaraguá
En: Jaragua grass, Giant thatching grass, Jaraguagrass, Jaragua
Af: Geelaartamboekiegras
Am: ሰንበሌጥ
Ar: حمرور أحمر
Zh: 红苞茅
Fi: Etelänpartaheinä
De: Braunes Deckgras, Jaraguagras
Fa: نریشت بزرگ
Pt: Jaraguá, Capim-jaraguá, Capim-provisório, Capim-vermelho, Sapé-gigante
Pt-br: Jaraguá, Capim-jaraguá
Es: Yaragua, Zacate jaragua, Yaraguá

Synonyms

• Sorghum rufum ((Nees) Kuntze)
• Cymbopogon rufus ((Nees) Rendle)
• Andropogon rufus ((Nees) Kunth)
• Trachypogon rufus (Nees)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Congo (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

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

Bark

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

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

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

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Más & Lugo-Torres (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Más & Lugo-Torres (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Fruit

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

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel J. Layton (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

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/2703246)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:405583-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees) Stapf)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth