GrassWildPerennial

Tripidium bengalense (Retz.)H.Scholz

Sarkanda · Kana

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Description

Tripidium bengalense is a large perennial grass, usually 1.5–3 m tall, with robust erect culms arising from a strong root system. Stems are thick, cane-like, cylindrical, and solid near the base. Leaves are large, linear-lanceolate, and elongated, usually 50–150 cm long and 2–6 cm wide. Leaf blades are flat, rough along margins, and have a prominent midrib. Leaf sheaths are long and overlapping. The inflorescence is a large feathery panicle, often silky or plumose in appearance. Spikelets are paired and surrounded by hairs, typical of the Saccharinae group. The fruit is a small caryopsis, usually dispersed with hairy structures.

Distribution

Native range: South Asia.

In Pakistan: Found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Himalayan foothills.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Late summer–autumn

Ethnobotany & Uses

Fodder Importance

Used locally as Green fodder, Grazing material.

Ecological Importance

Important for Riverbank stabilization, Soil erosion control.

Genetic Importance

Related to Sugarcane relatives. Potential source of stress tolerance traits.

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Previously included within broader concepts of Erianthus and Saccharum.