Bluegrass, Sheda grass
Dichanthium annulatum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass which keeps growing from year to year. It forms erect tussocks. It grows 0.5-1 m high. The leaves are 10-30 cm long and 0.3-0.5 cm wide. The culms are erect and branched. They are slender and covered with white powder. The seed heads can be single or in groups or 2-4. They are 4-6 cm long. They are pale green or purple.

There are 15 Dichanthium species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 150-1,600 mm. It grows between sea level and 1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in alkaline and salty soils. It grows in deep sandy soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahrain, Botswana, Cape Verde, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guyana, Hawaii, Himalayas, Kenya, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, North Africa, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Manna

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or division.

Its other names

Local names

Ahipasira, Apang, Barlu, Hindi grass, Karad, Myet-hmwe, Myet-khya, Padaw-ni, Zarga, Zinzvo

Synonyms

Andropogon annulatus Forsk.; Andropogon nodosus (Willemet) Nash; Dichanthium nodosum Willemet;