Blady grass, Cottonwool grass
Imperata cylindrica
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A grass which keeps growing from year to year. It has rhizomes. The stems are smooth. They are hairy at the nodes. The leaves are flat and somewhat erect. They are 50 cm long. The flowers are silvery white panicles. They can be 20 cm long. Imperata cylindrica is usually 1 m tall. and Imperata exaltata is 2m.
It is used in medicine in Indonesia. There are 6-10 Imperata species. It is very invasive.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. They occupy very large areas of open space in the Philippines. Very common and widely distributed. It can stand light frosts. It often grows in sandy habitats and along streams. It can survive frequent burning. It can grow in salty soils. It grows from sea level to 2,100 m above sea level. It needs good light. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central Asia, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Nepal, New Caledonia, North Africa, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Sahel, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Socotra, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Timor, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young unopened flower is eaten raw. They are sometimes eaten as a potherb or fried or put into soups. The runners contain starch. This is sweet and can be chewed or eaten and has been used for making beer. The plant is the source of an edible manna. The rhizomes are mixed with sugar to make a drink.
It is sold in Chinese stores in Australia. It is sold in local markets in China.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, root, manna, rhizome, root - tea
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the clump.
The whole plant is pulled up to harvest the rhizomes.
Its other names
Local names
Alalang, Alang-alang, Antsoro,Baljamu, Barhisan, Batta, Bharavai, Chero, Chitra, Cogon grass, Dab, Dabh, Darbha, Dhub, Eurih, Gaddi, Gan, Golon, Gondi, Hila, Ihila, Inankapilla, Iraun, Khair, Khans, Kunai grass, Kusa, Lalang, Lotan, Mao gen, Mohlabalerumo, Nanal, Nyasi, Ochete, Ooloo, Pai-mao,Peqaze, Pesholakey, Pessete, Phulya, Pitarika, Pitarini, Pottar, Pul, Rusejo, Sanna dabbai hullu, Sholu, Sil, Sir, Siru, Sodjo, Tchomba, Tchumba, Thatch grass, Thekke, Tti, Ttuksaepul, Tumbunsuma, Ullu, Ulu, Umthente, Umtsentse, Usirh, Varli-pillu, Vidalum, Woolly Grass, Ya ha, Ya ka, Yi ke
Synonyms
Imperata allang Jungh.; Imperata arundinacea Cyrillo; Imperata arundinacea var. africana Anderss.; Imperata arundinacea var. europaea Anderss.; Imperata arundinacea var. thunbergii (Retz.) Stapf; Imperata cylindrica var. africana (Anderss.) C.E. Hubbard; Imperata cylindrica var. europaea (Anderss.) Asch. & Graeb.; Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii (Retz.) Benth. ex Pilger; Imperata cylindrica var. major (Nees) C.E. Hubbard; Imperata cylindrica var. thunbergii (Retz.) Dur. & Schinz; Imperata filifolia Nees ex Steud; Imperata koenigii var. major Nees; Lagurus cylindricus Linn.; Saccharum cylindricum (Linn.) Lam.; Saccharum koenigii Retz.; Saccharum thunbergii Retz.;