Sacciolepis interrupta

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A grass which grows in water. It grows vigorously. The shoots root and float in water. It is spongy, fleshy, hollow and smooth. It grows 20-50 cm tall. The stalk can be 1 cm across. The leaf sheaths are loose and papery. The leaf blades are narrow, flat and soft. They are 4-12 cm long by 0.3-0.6 cm wide The base ends abruptly and it tapers to the tip. The spikelets are light green.

There are about 30 Sacciolepis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in swamps, shallow lakes and rice fields in Yunnan in S China. It can grow on clayey and sandy soils. It grows in wet grass savannah and temporary pools. It grows in water up to 1 m deep.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bhutan, Botswana, Central Africa, Chad, China, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The grains are eaten during times of food scarcity.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Guilguil, Jian xu nang ying cao, Modike hullu, Myet-win-poo, Nardula, Pakalia, Tandan pillu, Wolam

Synonyms

Panicum interruptum Willd.; Hymenachne interrupta (Willd.)Buse; Panicum inundatum Kunth.; Sacciolepis simaoensis Y.Y.Qian;