Cenchrus purpureus
Species of grass / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Pennisetum purpureum?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Cenchrus purpureus, synonym Pennisetum purpureum,[1] also known as Napier grass, elephant grass or Uganda grass, is a species of perennial tropical grass native to the African grasslands.[2] It has low water and nutrient requirements, and therefore can make use of otherwise uncultivated lands.[3]
Cenchrus purpureus | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
Genus: | Cenchrus |
Species: | C. purpureus |
Binomial name | |
Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone | |
Historically, this wild species has been used primarily for grazing,[4] recently, however, it has been used as part of a push–pull agricultural pest management strategy. Napier grasses improve soil fertility, and protect arid land from soil erosion. It is also utilized for firebreaks, windbreaks, in paper pulp production and most recently to produce bio-oil, biogas and charcoal.[3]