Para grass (Urochloa mutica, Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 3: 13 (1966))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Forssk.) T.Q.Nguyen

Bibliography: Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 3: 13 (1966)

Year: 1966

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Urochloa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Sahara to Angola, N. Africa to Syria, SW. Arabian Pen.

Description

Para grass, known scientifically as Urochloa mutica, is a robust perennial species that belongs to the Poaceae family. This resilient grass flourishes across various regions, stretching from the arid deserts of the Sahara to the more temperate climates of Angola. Its adaptability also spans from North Africa to Syria, encompassing the diverse ecological zones of the southwestern Arabian Peninsula.

First chronicled in the publication “Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast.” in 1966, Para grass has captivated botanists with its durability and extensive range. The authoritative classification by T.Q. Nguyen, referencing the work of Forsskål, highlights its botanical significance and ecological versatility.

Characterized by its sprawling growth habit, Para grass is often employed in soil stabilization efforts due to its ability to rapidly colonize and cover barren areas. This trait makes it particularly valuable in regions prone to erosion. Its lush, green foliage can thrive even in less fertile soils, further demonstrating its robustness.

Ecologically, Urochloa mutica plays a critical role in providing forage for livestock across its native and introduced ranges. Its nutrient-rich blades are a favored food source for grazing animals, contributing to the sustainability of pastoral farming systems. However, its aggressive growth pattern necessitates careful management to prevent it from becoming invasive, particularly in non-native areas where it can outcompete local flora.

In summary, Para grass (Urochloa mutica) is a remarkable species within the Poaceae family, distinguished by its wide adaptability and ecological importance. From the sweeping sands of the Sahara to the rich agricultural landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula, this grass continues to be a vital component of the flora in its habitats.

Common Names

En: Para Grass, Paragras, California grass, Dutch grass, Mauritius grass, Paragrass, Buffalo grass
Ar: رقيب (رُقيب), ركيبه (رِكيبه), مداد (مِدَّاد), مديد (مُدِّيد), مطيط (مُطيط)
Fr: Herbe de Para, Panic colonisateur, Blé du Dekkan
Es: Malojillo, Pasto Pará, Piojillo pará
Eng: dutch grass, mauritius grass, para grass, scotch grass, scottish grass, buffalo grass, giant couch
Deu: paragras
Por: capim-angola, capim-bengo, capim-branco, capim-de-cavalo, capim-de-planta, capim-fino
Fra: herbe de para
Spa: hierba de pará, paraná, pasto pará
: Para grass

Synonyms

• Brachiaria mutica ((Forssk.) Stapf)
• Panicum limnaeum (Steud.)
• Panicum barbinode (Trin.)
• Brachiaria purpurascens ((Raddi) Henrard)
• Brachiaria numidiana ((Lam.) Henrard)
• Panicum guadaloupense (Steud.)
• Panicum purpurascens (Raddi)
• Panicum pictigluma (Steud.)
• Panicum amphibium (Steud.)
• Panicum muticum (Forssk.)
• Panicum equinum (Salzm. ex Steud.)
• Panicum punctulatum (Arn. ex Steud.)
• Panicum paraguayense (Steud. ex Döll)
• Panicum leiogonum (Sieber ex Link)
• Panicum appressum (Forssk.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Chad (native)
• Congo (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Togo (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Aruba (introduced)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Jacob Nulik (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2020 by Mario Alberto Diaz (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:426266-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Brachiaria mutica (Forssk.) Stapf)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705851)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705848)

Specifications

Growth form>: Stoloniferous

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.7

Ph minimum: 5.3