| Etymology | Genus | Golden-bearded; perhaps referring to the yellowish anthers |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Needlie-like; likely to refer to its spiklets | |
| Family | Poaceae | |
| Synonyms | Andropogon acicularis Willd., Rhaphis aciculata (Retz.) Honda | |
| Common Names | Love Grass, Temuchut | |
| Status | Native: Common | |
| Form | Herb | |
| Native Distribution | India, China, Indochina to Australia | |
Diagnostics:
A very common weed in lawns, Chrysopogon aciculatus can only be easily spotted and identified when it flowers. The inflorescence stalk is well exserted, and branches in several whorls, each ending with a red or purple spiklet.
Interesting Facts:
The spikelets adhere firmly to clothings therefore earning the species earned the reputation of "Love Grass" (Gilliland, 1971).
The Love Grass can be identified easily from its erect inflorescences.
Another view from a grass patch.
The spiklets are purple or red and are arranged in whorls.
The form of the Love Grass. Top left: Note the hairy margins
Spikelets "stick" firmly to clothing.
References
Gilliland HB. (1971) A Revised Flora of Malaya. Volume III: Grasses of Malaya. Government Printing Office, Singapore. 319 pp.Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-05-07 / Modified: 2017-12-25