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Melinis minutiflora

Authority	Beauv.
Family	Liliopsida:Commelinidae:Cyperales:Gramineae
Synonyms	Melinis maitlandii Stapf & C.E. Hubb.
Common names	capim gordura, Efwatakala grass, honey grass, molasses grass
Editor
Ecocrop code	1437

Notes
DESCRIPTION: Tufted grass up to 150 cm tall, often sticky, with a characteristic odour of molasses or cumin. Pubescent leaf-blades. Panicle 10-30 cm. USE: Fodder and pasture. Oil obtained from the grass is used as a mosquito repellent. Can be used for erosion control. KILLING T: Repeated heavy frost will kill it. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Molasses grass, Gordura. FURTHER INF: It is native of tropical Africa. It occurs naturally in bush, shady places, at forest edges and in open grassland, often on steep, rocky slopes. The latitudinal range of molasses grass is 16-30.5°N. In Kenya it can be grown at elevations between 1500-2350 m, generally grown from sea level to 2500 m. Found in areas with annual rainfall between 750-2500 mm, mostly between 1000-2000 mm. Occurs in areas with average annual temperatures from 18-21 (-25)ºC and mean temperature of the coldest month between 6 and 15ºC. Higher growth rate at 30ºC than at 20ºC. Grows on a variety of well-drained soils, with surface textures ranging from sands to medium clays. Tolerant of low fertility, pH from 4.5-8.4, and high aluminium. Responds to improved fertility. Intolerant of salinity. Annual dry matter yields are mostly of the order of 5-10 t/ha, but vary from 2-20 t/ha, depending largely on moisture availability and N fertility. Listed as a weed in many countries.
Sources
Grassland Index Skerman P 1990 pp 504-507 [LIG, DRA, TEMP, KTMP, RAIN, FER, SAL, PHO] Rehm S 1991 pp 411 [USE] Duke J 1975 pp 21 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] Duke J 1979 pp 95 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] Roecklein J 1987 pp 258 [USE] Bogdan A 1977 pp 167-172 [LIG, DRA, TEMP, RAIN, PH, FER, TEXT, DEP] Bryant P 1973 pp 319 [KTMP, RAIN, DRA, FER] Kernick M 1961 pp 320 Purseglove J 1972 pp 128 [DRA, RAIN, USE] Tropical forages 2005