Contents
Description
Dactyloctenium Aegyptium, commonly known as Egyptian grass or crowfoot grass, is a warm-season annual or perennial grass that is native to Africa but can be found in many parts of the world. This plant is known for its unique appearance, ability to grow in poor soil conditions, and its use in traditional medicine.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Monocotyledonae |
| Order | Cyperales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Dactyloctenium |
Appearance
The Dactyloctenium Aegyptium plant has a unique appearance that sets it apart from other grasses. It has long, flat leaves that are green in color and grow in a rosette pattern. The blades of the leaves are 2-20 cm long and 2-6 mm wide. The stem of the plant is slender, erect, and grows up to 60 cm tall. The flowers of this plant are spikelets that are 2-6 cm long and 2-3 mm wide. They are arranged in a branching inflorescence that blooms from July to September.
Care Guide
Dactyloctenium Aegyptium is an easy plant to care for and is known for its ability to grow in poor soil conditions. Here are some tips for caring for this plant:
- Water: This plant is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering. Water only when the soil is dry.
- Fertilization: Fertilization is not necessary for this plant, but if you want to encourage growth, you can apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
- Soil: This plant can grow in a wide range of soil types, but it prefers well-drained soil that is slightly acidic.
- Sunlight: This plant requires full sun to grow and thrive.
- Hardiness Zones: Dactyloctenium Aegyptium grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Dactyloctenium Aegyptium is a relatively pest and disease-resistant plant, but it can still be susceptible to some common problems:
- Weeds: This plant can be choked out by weeds, so it’s important to keep the area around it free of weeds.
- Fungal diseases: This plant can be susceptible to fungal diseases such as rust and leaf spot.
- Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers can be a problem for this plant, especially in areas with high populations.
Habitat
Dactyloctenium Aegyptium is native to Africa but can now be found in many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and North America. It is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and waste places. It can grow in a wide range of soil types and is often found in sandy or rocky soils.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Dactyloctenium Aegyptium an invasive species?
A: Dactyloctenium Aegyptium is not considered an invasive species, but it can be weedy in some areas.
Q: Can Dactyloctenium Aegyptium be used for erosion control?
A: Yes, this plant is often used for erosion control because of its ability to grow in poor soil conditions and its deep root system.
Q: Is Dactyloctenium Aegyptium toxic to pets?
A: There is no evidence that Dactyloctenium Aegyptium is toxic to pets, but it’s always a good idea to keep pets away from plants that they are not familiar with.
Q: Can Dactyloctenium Aegyptium be used for traditional medicine?
A: Yes, this plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as headaches, fever, and diarrhea.
Related Plants
- Dactyloctenium Australe
- Dactyloctenium Scindicum
- Dactyloctenium Polystachyum
References
- “Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd.” Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 9 August 2021. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:400510-1.
- “Dactyloctenium aegyptium.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed 9 August 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c714.
- “Dactyloctenium aegyptium.” USDA Plants Database. Accessed 9 August 2021. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=DAAE.
