Axonopus scoparius (Flüggé) Kuhlm.

Bernal, R., G. Galeano, A. Rodríguez, H. Sarmiento y M. Gutiérrez. 2017. Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/

Vernacular

gramalote, gramalote blanco, gramalote colorado, imperial, micay, micay blanco, pasto chigüiro, pasto de trenza, pasto imperial, pasto micael, pasto micay, pasto negro, telembí

Distribution

Biogeografic region: Amazonia, Andean, Guiana Shield, Caribbean, Orinoquia, Pacific. Elevation range: 0–3000 m a.s.l. Cultivated in Colombia. Native to Colombia. Colombian departments: Amazonas, Antioquia, Bogotá DC, Bolívar, Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Chocó, Cundinamarca, Guainía, Guaviare, Huila, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupés.

Habit

Herb.

Conservation

IUCN Red List Assessment (2021): LC. National Red List of Colombia (2021): Potential LC.

Ecology

Habitat according IUCN Habitats Classification: forest and woodland, shrubland, native grassland, wetlands (inland), artificial - terrestrial.

Vernacular

Capín venezuela, Gramalote, Gramalote blanco, Imperial, Macael, Micay, Pasto de trenza, Pasto imperial, Pasto micael, Pasto micay, Yerba micay

Morphology General Habit

Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Stolons absent, or present. Culms erect; robust; 100-150 cm long; 3-7 mm diam. Culm-internodes solid. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths keeled. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1-2.7 mm long. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blades 15-50 cm long; 5-30 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle 15-30 cm long. Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 6-12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 7-15 cm long. Rhachis angular; with scattered hairs, or glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial. Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.7-2.9 mm long; falling entire.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.7-2.9 mm long; falling entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy between veins.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; 3 -veined; with evident midvein; pubescent; hairy between veins. Fertile lemma oblong; 2.2-2.4 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; scabrous. Palea involute; indurate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Anthers 3; 1.5-1.7 mm long; purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

Distribution

South America: Mesoamericana, northern South America, western South America, and Brazil.

Reference

Paniceae. Fl Costaric 1993.

The Useful Plants of Boyacá project

Ecology

Alt. 0 - 3000 m.

Morphology General Habit

Herb.

Conservation

Least concern.

Distribution

Native and cultivated in Colombia.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/44393362/44490269

Conservation

LC - least concern

Morphology General Habit

Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 55-100 cm long. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaves basal and cauline. Leaf-sheaths 5-40 cm long; keeled; pilose. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 6-25 cm long; 2-19 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; soon splitting, or simple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 30 cm long. Racemes 6-20; digitate, or borne along a central axis; ascending; unilateral; 8-18 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 6-15 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.3 mm wide; dark-coloured (purple); glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 5.5 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent. Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 2.1-3 mm long; 0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 2.1-3 mm long; 0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume 1 length of spikelet; membranous; purple; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous; hairy between veins.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1.2-1.4 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; purple; 4-5 -veined; without midvein, or with obscure midvein; pubescent; hairy between veins. Fertile lemma 1.8-2.1 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

Distribution

South America: northern South America and western South America.

Reference

Paniceae. Black 1994.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 35-50 cm long; 1-2 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 6-15 cm long; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.4-0.7 mm long. Leaf-blades 7-15 cm long; 5-10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1-2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 10-30 cm long. Racemes 2-8; digitate; spreading, or deflexed; unilateral; 4-10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 4-5 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.3-0.4 mm wide; dark-coloured (purple); glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 4 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent. Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.6-0.9 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 2.5-2.6 mm long; 0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 2.5-2.6 mm long; 0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 4-5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Upper glume surface glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1.2 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 4 -veined; without midvein; glabrous. Fertile lemma 2.2-2.3 mm long; indurate; light brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

Distribution

South America: western South America.

Reference

Paniceae. Black 1994.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial; caespitose. Stolons present. Butt sheaths purple (violet tinged). Culms erect, or decumbent; 30-150 cm long; 3-8 mm diam.; without nodal roots, or rooting from lower nodes. Culm-internodes purple (violet tinged); distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches sparse. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent; outer margin glabrous, or hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Collar glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; flat; 15-38 cm long; 12-22 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous to pubescent; sparsely hairy; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base. Leaf-blade apex obtuse, or acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary; with 1-2 peduncles per sheath. Racemes 3-24; digitate, or borne along a central axis; ascending; unilateral; 6-16 cm long; simple, or with branchlets at base of longer racemes. Central inflorescence axis 4-7 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.4-0.7 mm wide; with scattered hairs, or glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial. Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.2-3 mm long; falling entire.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.2-3 mm long; falling entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 4 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume margins pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; 4 -veined; without midvein; pubescent on margins. Fertile lemma oblong; 2.2-2.8 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Anthers 3; 1-1.5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

Distribution

South America: Mesoamericana and western South America.

Reference

Paniceae. SAR 2000.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 60 cm long; 1 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths 6-10 cm long; longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades 15-25 cm long; 10-15 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins tuberculate-ciliate. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 25 cm long. Racemes 14; digitate; ascending; unilateral; 10-14 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 9 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.3 mm wide; glabrous on surface; smooth on margins, or scaberulous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 5.6 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; glabrous, or pilose. Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2-2.1 mm long; 0.7-0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2-2.1 mm long; 0.7-0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; hyaline; pallid; 2-3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or obscure. Upper glume apex obtuse.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 2-3 -veined; without midvein, or with obscure midvein; acute. Fertile lemma 2-2.1 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; without ornament. Palea involute; indurate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

Distribution

North America: Mexico.

Reference

Paniceae. Black 1994.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial. Rhizomes short; scaly. Culms 100-180 cm long. Leaf-sheaths keeled; glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 15-60 cm long; 8-15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence composed of racemes. Racemes 12-15; digitate; unilateral; 8-15 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10 cm long. Rhachis angular; glabrous on surface; scaberulous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial. Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.2-2.9 mm long; falling entire.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.2-2.9 mm long; falling entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 0.9-1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume apex obtuse.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.2-2.9 mm long; indurate; light brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Anthers 3.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

Distribution

North America: Mexico.

Reference

Paniceae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

Use Medicines

Medicinal (State of the World's Plants 2016, Instituto Humboldt 2014).

Use Medicines Unspecified Medicinal Disorders

Medicinal (State of the World's Plants 2016, Instituto Humboldt 2014).