Brachiaria decumbens
Brachiaria decumbens
Safety & Hazards
A widespread, but sporadic, toxicity syndrome associated with Brachiaria decumbens is hepatogenous photosensitization. The exact causes are not understood, but some researchers believe that an infestation of the grass by the saprophytic fungus Pithomyces chatarum, which produces spores thought to contain the toxin sporidesmin[ 375 Title Grassland Species - Profiles Publication Author Website http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses. ].
Botanical Description
Brachiaria decumbens is an evergreen grass forming a clump of erect culms 30 - 150cm tall from a long, stoloniferous base. The culms root at their lower nodes, forming a dense mat of growth[ 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ]. The plant is used to cover the ground and prevent soil erosion.