Brachiaria distachya

Botanical Description

Brachiaria distachya is a more or less perennial, evergreen grass producing a cluster of slender, straggling culms 5 - 35cm tall. The stems usually form roots at their lower nodes[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). , 1140 Title Brachiaria, Urochloa (Gramineae-Paniceae) in Malesia Publication Blumea 41 pp 413-437 1996 Author Veldkamp J.F. Publisher Year 1996 ISBN Description A paper transferring various Brachiaria species to Urochloa, it also gives information on plant uses. ]. The plant is used to bind sandy soils, especially in coastal areas. Brachiaria distachya is a very aggressive plant, especially in humid areas and wetlands. It has escaped from cultivation and become a weed in many parts of the tropics and is likely to become a threat in disturbed wetlands, riparian habitats, and dune systems by altering these ecosystems, displacing native species, or threatening local populations. Because it is highly competitive and produces a large volume of biomass, the species reduces species diversity and the functional diversity of indigenous macrophytes. Its allelopathic components, resistance to long periods of drought, and high germination capacity in low light conditions increase its competitive ability. When it forms extensive mats it impacts the native diversity of plants and also of fishes. Commonly invasive along margins of lakes and multiple use reservoirs, the presence of this species in water bodies generates water loss by transpiration, reduces water flow in canals, increases siltation, and generates higher maintenance costs[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ].