Hymenachne amplexicaulis

Cultivation Details

A plant of moister areas of the tropics and subtropics, growing in areas of high rainfall at elevations up to 1,200 metres^[1]. Requires a sunny position, being intolerant of shade^[1]. The plant is adapted to acid soils in peat swamps having a pH in the range 4 - 4.8^[1]. It can tolerate water up to 1 metre deep, but is better adapted to seasonal immersion than to permanent water^[1]. Sometimes the plant becomes a troublesome weed, especially in Asia and Australia, where it can be found in wetlands, flood plains, irrigation systems, water storage facilities, irrigated rice and sugar cane crops^[1]. It spreads by means of by seed and broken stem fragments. Each flower head can produce over 4000 viable seeds - these can survive in water and are spread during annual flooding events and in mud attached to the fur or hooves of animals. Waterbirds may also be responsible for spreading seed. Broken stem fragments can be carried to new locations by floodwaters, and then take root in moist soil.