Family: Poaceae
Author: (L.) P.Beauv.
Bibliography: Ess. Agrostogr.: 54 (1812)
Year: 1812
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Oplismenus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
Running mountaingrass, known scientifically as Oplismenus compositus, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the Poaceae family. This grass thrives predominantly in the tropics and subtropics, showcasing its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions.
The species was first described in 1812 by notable botanists, with the formal scientific description documented in the seminal work “Ess. Agrostogr.” by P. Beauv., who detailed the plant’s characteristics and ecological significance.
Oplismenus compositus is a perennial grass known for its vigorous and creeping growth habit, forming dense mats that can cover large areas. The plant is characterized by its broad, lanceolate leaves that are typically lush green and can provide significant ground cover. This makes running mountaingrass an excellent choice for erosion control and as a groundcover in landscaping, particularly in gardens and natural settings within its native range.
The inflorescences of running mountaingrass are compact and spike-like, adding an intriguing texture to the plant’s overall appearance. This characteristic can be particularly appealing in ornamental plantings. Moreover, its ability to thrive in shaded areas under trees or in forest understories allows it to fill niche habitats where other grasses might struggle to survive.
Beyond its utility in erosion control and landscaping, Oplismenus compositus plays an important ecological role in its native environments. It provides habitat and food for various grassland fauna, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Additionally, the plant’s presence can help improve soil quality by preventing erosion and facilitating soil moisture retention.
Overall, running mountaingrass (Oplismenus compositus) is an essential grass species in tropical and subtropical ecosystems, valued for its ecological contributions, versatility in landscaping, and its resilience across different environments.
Common Names
Eng: running mountaingrass, running mountain grass, running mountain grass.
En: Running mountaingrass, Running mountain grass, Running Mountain Grass.
Synonyms
- Oplismenus lanceolatus ((Retz.) Kunth)
- Oplismenus patens var. yunnanensis (S.L.Chen & Y.X.Jin)
- Orthopogon gonyrrhizus ((Steud.) Miq.)
- Orthopogon setarius ((Lam.) Spreng.)
- Oplismenus patens var. angustifolius ((L.C.Chia) S.L.Chen & Y.X.Jin)
- Oplismenus formosanus (Honda)
- Oplismenus burmanni var. intermedius (Honda)
- Panicum bidentulum (Steud.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. vittatus (L.H.Bailey)
- Digitaria elatior (Willd.)
- Panicum peninsularum (Steud.)
- Orthopogon sylvaticus ((Lam.) Miq.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. lasiorhachis (Hack.)
- Panicum setarium (Lam.)
- Oplismenus compositus f. glabratus (F.Br.)
- Andropogon undatus (Jacq.)
- Panicum longeracemosum (Steud.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. intermedius ((Honda) Ohwi)
- Hippagrostis composita ((L.) Kuntze)
- Panicum bidentatum (Steud.)
- Urochloa aristata ((Retz.) B.D.Jacks.)
- Oplismenus thiebautii (E.Fourn.)
- Panicum parciflorum (Steud.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. formosanus ((Honda) S.L.Chen & Y.X.Jin)
- Oplismenus compositus var. rariflorus ((J.Presl) U.Scholz)
- Panicum compositum var. fimbriusculum (Döll)
- Echinochloa lanceolata ((Retz.) P.Beauv.)
- Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. setarius ((Lam.) Mez ex Ekman)
- Oplismenus jacquinii (Kunth)
- Pollinia jacquinii (Spreng. ex Steud.)
- Oplismenus setarius f. sterilis (F.Br.)
- Oplismenus coreanus (Nakai)
- Orthopogon remotus (Trin.)
- Oplismenus decompositus (Nees)
- Oplismenus compositus subsp. patens ((Honda) T.Koyama)
- Oplismenus liebmannii (E.Fourn.)
- Panicum lanceolatum (Retz.)
- Panicum certificandum (Steud.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. patens ((Honda) Ohwi)
- Oplismenus polliniifolius (Honda)
- Oplismenus junghuhnii (Boerl.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. setarius ((Lam.) F.M.Bailey)
- Oplismenus pratensis ((Spreng.) Schult. & Schult.f.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. submuticus (S.L.Chen & Y.X.Jin)
- Panicum pratense ((Spreng.) Steud.)
- Oplismenus setarius ((Lam.) Roem. & Schult.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. sylvaticus ((Lam.) U.Scholz)
- Orthopogon compositus ((L.) R.Br.)
- Hippagrostis setaria ((Lam.) Kuntze)
- Panicum sylvaticum (Lam.)
- Oplismenus compositus f. vittatus ((L.H.Bailey) Beetle)
- Pollinia undata ((Jacq.) Spreng.)
- Digitaria composita ((L.) Willd.)
- Panicum compositoproximum (Rottler ex Willd.)
- Oplismenus indicus (Roem. & Schult.)
- Oplismenus rariflorus (J.Presl)
- Oplismenus hirtellus var. setarius ((Lam.) Mez ex Ekman)
- Oplismenus compositus f. pubescens (F.Br.)
- Panicum unguinosum (Roxb.)
- Oplismenus sylvaticus ((Lam.) Roem. & Schult.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. owatarii ((Honda) Ohwi)
- Panicum undatum ((Jacq.) Steud.)
- Orthopogon junghuhnii (Nees ex Steud.)
- Oplismenus compositus var. angustifolius (L.C.Chia)
- Oplismenus elatior ((L.f.) P.Beauv.)
- Panicum gonyrrhizum (Steud.)
- Orthopogon pratensis (Spreng.)
- Orthopogon longeracemosus ((Steud.) Miq.)
- Oplismenus owatarii (Honda)
- Oplismenus patens (Honda)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Christmas I. (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Equatorial Guinea (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- India (native)
- Iran (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kazan-retto (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Korea (native)
- Laccadive Is. (native)
- Laos (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maldives (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Ogasawara-shoto (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Oman (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Socotra (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Texas (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Marquesas (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Victoria (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 Aug 10, 2022 by Steve FAAEVA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2020 by khan simul (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 11, 2021 by Moloy Paul (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2022 by Eduarda Ferreira (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by Herwig Mees (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705733)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:409823-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Oplismenus compositus (L.) P.Beauv.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Graminoid