Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
amethystea
ID:
880172

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Franch.) Zizka

Source:
wcs

Year:
1988

Citation Micro:
Biblioth. Bot. 38(138): 116 (1988)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000879507

Common Names

  • Melinis amethystea
  • Amethyst Natal Grass
  • Amethyst Natal

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Description

Melinis amethystea (also called Amethyst Redtop, among many other common names) is a perennial grass, growing up to 1 m tall. It is native to Africa and is found in grasslands and scrublands.

Uses & Benefits

Melinis amethystea is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It has a pleasant scent and can be used to attract pollinators. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Melinis amethystea has small, white flowers that are borne in clusters. The seeds are small and black, and the seedlings have a single pair of opposite leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Melinis amethystea is a perennial grass native to Africa. It is found in grasslands, meadows, and other areas with plenty of sun and moisture. Propagation is best done by seed, which should be sown in early spring. The seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil and kept moist until germination. Once established, the plants will require regular watering and fertilizing. If desired, the plants can be divided in the spring or fall.

Where to Find Melinis amethystea

Melinis amethystea is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Madagascar.

Species in the Poaceae family

Achnatherum pekinense, Achnatherum pubicalyx, Achnatherum sibiricum, Achnatherum turcomanicum, Achnatherum brandisii, Achnatherum bromoides, Achnatherum calamagrostis, Achnatherum confusum, Achnatherum inebrians, Achnatherum jacquemontii, Achnatherum virescens, Achnatherum paradoxum, Achnatherum nakaii, Achnatherum pelliotii, Achnatherum haussknechtii, Achnatherum mandavillei, Achnatherum pilosum, Achnatherum parviflorum, Achnatherum staintonii, Aciachne acicularis, Aciachne flagellifera, Aciachne pulvinata, Acidosasa breviclavata, Acidosasa brilletii, Acidosasa chinensis, Acidosasa edulis, Acidosasa glauca, Acidosasa guangxiensis, Acidosasa lingchuanensis, Acidosasa nanunica, Acidosasa notata, Acidosasa purpurea, Acidosasa venusta, Acidosasa carinata, Acostia gracilis, Acrachne henrardiana, Acrachne perrieri, Acrachne racemosa, Acritochaete volkensii, Acroceras amplectens, Acroceras attenuatum, Acroceras boivinii, Acroceras bosseri, Acroceras calcicola, Acroceras chaseae, Acroceras diffusum, Acroceras elegans, Acroceras excavatum, Acroceras fluminense, Acroceras gabunense,

References

Adrien René Franchet (1834-1900): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Franch.' in the authors string.
Georg Zizka (b.1955): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Zizka' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:2945822-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].