Imperata conferta
(J. Presl.) Ohwi
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President and Fellows of Harvard College
Where to Find It
E. Asia - Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to New Guinea and the western Pacific
Found in a wide range of open, disturbed human-created habitats; at elevations from sea-level up to 1,000 metres. In the Philippines the plant generally prefers forest clearings at higher elevations.
How to Identify
A grass.
How to Grow
The plant can spread freely by means of its rhizomes - even small parts of the rhizome when left in the ground can grow into a new plant. This the plant can be very difficult to eradicate, and is also spread easily to other sites by means of small sections of the root. It is considered an invasive weed in many areas. Plants can flower all year roundin Fiji.
Medicinal Uses
A decoction of the rhizomes is drunk as a treatment against diarrhoea caused by indigestion and against gonorrhoea.
Other Uses
The leaves are often used for thatching. The plants are sometimes used in weaving to make hats and mats. Experiments have shown that the fibres from the plant can be used to make good paper.
Names & Synonyms
References (1)
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
