Burmann's basketgrass

Oplismenus burmanni

Family: Poaceae Genus: Oplismenus Species: burmanni

Synonyms: Panicum cristatum, Panicum francoi, Oplismenus burmanni var. albidulus, Oplismenus burmanni var. lanatus, Orthopogon burmanni, Oplismenus undulatifolius var. japonicus, Panicum ischnocaulon, Oplismenus baronii, Panicum bromoides, Oplismenus burmanni var. nudicaulis, Hippagrostis burmanni, Oplismenus gracillimus, Panicum album, Orthopogon bromoides, Orthopogon burmanni var. glabrescens, Oplismenus cristatus, Oplismenus gracilis, Oplismenus japonicus, Oplismenus albus, Oplismenus multisetus, Oplismenus affinis var. humboldtianus, Oplismenus mollissimus, Oplismenus humbertianus, Oplismenus humboldtianus, Panicum multisetum, Panicum lappaceum, Panicum schultesii, Orthopogon burmanni var. lanatus, Oplismenus preslii, Oplismenus affinis, Oplismenus burmanni f. cristatus, Oplismenus burmanni var. multisetus, Orthopogon albus, Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. japonicus, Oplismenus hookeri, Panicum sanctae-marthae, Oplismenus humboldtianus var. nudicaulis, Oplismenus humboldtianus var. muticus

Burmann's basketgrass (en)

Botanical Description

Oplismenus burmanni, commonly called Burmann's basketgrass, is a small spreading annual or short-lived perennial grass in the family Poaceae widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania. It is a slender shade-tolerant grass that grows along the ground forming loose mats, with weak stems 10 to 60 centimeters long that root at the lower nodes and turn up at the tips. The thin lanceolate leaf blades are 2 to 8 centimeters long, often with wavy margins and sometimes a pale midrib stripe. Slender terminal inflorescences carry short widely spaced racemes of paired spikelets; each spikelet bears prominent awns that are sticky with a mucilaginous secretion when fresh, which helps the seeds adhere to fur and clothing for dispersal. The species inhabits the understory of forests, woodlands and shaded disturbed ground from sea level to mid-elevations.

Native Region: Andaman Is., Assam, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Repu, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Comoros, Congo, East Himalaya, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., India, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, Korea, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Maluku, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Guinea, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Northern Territory, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Queensland, Réunion, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Transcaucasus, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Zambia, Zaïre, Zimbabwe

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

None Documented

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID

232055

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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