Eleocharis ochrostachys (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Eleocharis ochrostachys Steud.
- Family: Cyperaceae
Synonyms
Eleocharis subulata Boeck., E. variegata (Poir.) Presl var. laxiflora (Thwaites) Clarke, Scirpus laxiflorus Thwaites.
Vernacular names
- Indonesia: purun, purun tikus (general), ngunu bobo (Halmahera)
- Malaysia: rumput sikat.
Distribution
From India and Sri Lanka throughout South-East Asia to Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands and Melanesia. In Malesia often occurring very locally; not yet reported from the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Uses
In central and eastern Sumatra and western Borneo the stems are woven into bags.
Observations
A perennial herb, 35-80 cm tall, with short rhizome and long stolons. Stem erect, tufted, terete or obscurely angular, 1-5 mm wide, not transversely septate. Leaves reduced to bladeless, tubular sheaths. Inflorescence a terminal, ebracteate, single spikelet; spikelet cylindrical, 0.5-2 cm × 3-4 mm, few- to several-flowered, pale green; glumes firm, loosely imbricate, many-veined, the lowest 1-2 usually empty; flowers bisexual with perianth of 5-7 bristles; stamens 2-3; pistil with 2-3-fid style. Fruit a pale brown nut, unequally biconvex, obovate, 1.5-2 mm × 1-1.5 mm, with an annular prominence at the apex and with 15-20 vertical lines on each side and prominent ribbed margins. E. ochrostachys is found at altitudes up to 1400 m in open wet locations, swamps, lake-margins and floating islands, sometimes dominant. In Indonesia it is a weed of minor importance in rice, where it can be controlled manually. Natural propagation is by fruits, which are dispersed by water.
Selected sources
6, 20, 39, 47, 102, 158, 162.
Authors
M. Brink, P.C.M. Jansen & C.H. Bosch
