Mauritian grass (Apluda mutica, Sp. Pl.: 82 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 82 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Apluda

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mascarenes, Socotra, Asia to W. Pacific

Description

Mauritian grass, scientifically known as Apluda mutica, is a perennial grass species recognized since 1753, when it was first described by the botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.” Belonging to the Poaceae family, which is commonly referred to as the grass family, Apluda mutica exhibits the typical characteristics that allow it to thrive in diverse environments.

Endemic to a range of locales, Mauritian grass is found across the Mascarenes, the island of Socotra, and extends its presence from parts of Asia all the way to the western Pacific region. This widespread distribution highlights the adaptability and resilience of the species.

The genus Apluda is known for its slender and wiry stems, along with narrow, pointed leaves that distinguish it within its ecosystems. Mauritian grass often plays a critical ecological role, contributing to soil stabilization and serving as a food source for various animals.

Though it may not be as well-known as some other grass species, Apluda mutica holds significant value in its native habitats. Its adaptability to different climatic conditions and terrains underscores the importance of conservational awareness to preserve these unique and resilient plant species.

Common Names

Eng: mauritian grass
En: Mauritian grass

Synonyms

• Apluda geniculata (Roxb.)
• Apluda scabra (Andersson)
• Apluda cumingii (Buse)
• Apluda rostrata (Arn. & Nees)
• Apluda gigantea ((P.Beauv.) Spreng.)
• Apluda glauca ((Retz.) Schreb.)
• Apluda varia subsp. mutica ((L.) Hack.)
• Calamina mutica ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Calamina humilis (J.Presl)
• Apluda aristata var. ciliata ((Andersson) S.K.Jain)
• Apluda communis (Arn. & Nees)
• Apluda mutica var. major ((Hack.) S.K.Jain)
• Apluda mutica var. aristata ((L.) Hack. ex K.Bakker)
• Apluda ciliata (Andersson)
• Xerochloa latifolia (Hassk.)
• Apluda aristata (L.)
• Apluda varia subsp. aristata ((L.) Hack.)
• Apluda pedicellata (Buse)
• Apluda inermis (Regel)
• Apluda blatteri (Sur)
• Apluda humilis ((J.Presl) Kunth)
• Apluda mucronata (Steud.)
• Apluda aristata var. jainii (S.K.Jain)
• Apluda kobila (Buch.-Ham. ex Nees)
• Apluda microstachya (Nees)
• Apluda varia (Hack.)
• Andropogon involucratus (J.Koenig ex Steud.)
• Apluda villosa (Schreb.)
• Apluda varia var. aristata ((L.) Rendle)
• Tripsacum giganteum ((P.Beauv.) Raspail)
• Apluda mutica subsp. aristata ((L.) Babu)
• Apluda varia var. major (Hack.)
• Apluda varia var. intermedia (Hack.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maldives (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Caledonia (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Maryland (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Patrick Kuss (cc-by-nc)

© 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/5289910)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:389110-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Apluda mutica L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth