Assignment/exercise
USC Plant Profile - Poaceae, Themeda triandra
University of the Sunshine Coast
2022
Appears in UniSC Plant Profiles
Abstract
Commonly growing in grasslands, open woodlands and grassy forests (Liles, 2004; Waters et al., 2001) not tolerating very wet or very dry conditions (Bull and Hofert, 2017).Widespread and most recognisable grass species distributed; Australia wide, Africa and south-east Asia (Liles, 2004; Wrigley and Fagg, 2007).
Themeda triandra is a tufted perennial grass species which can grow to 1.5 tall with individual tussocks reaching 50 cm across, appearing green/grey when dry and orange-brown in summer (Liles, 2004; Waters et al., 2001). Flowering from December to late April, the spikelet clusters with distinguishing spathes a the base and bare florets with black awns surround a similar single but fertile spikelet which remains in seed when it falls (Bull and Hofert, 2017; Jacobs et al., 2008; Liles, 2004; Waters et al., 2001). The leaves are flat reaching 50cm in length 5 mm wide, with ligule hairs growing along the rim of the leaves and folded in the bud (Bull and Hofert, 2017; Waters et al., 2001). Caterpillars feed leaves and seeds and birds feed on the seeds and collect nesting materials from the plant (Bull and Hofert, 2017). Aboriginals would collect the leaves to make string and create nets (Bull and Hofert, 2017). Themeda triandra is one of the most important species within an agricultural perspective among its distribution. High palatability for natives and introduced herbivores makes it extremely important for wildlife and livestock production, consequently having strong economic and ecological values (Snyman et al., 2013). However, the innapropriate livestock management has seen a decline in grazing value species richness and ecosystem function; a vital species in biophysical and socio-economic system functions (Snyman et al., 2013)
Details
- Title
- USC Plant Profile - Poaceae, Themeda triandra
- Authors
- Liam Everson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Location
- Latitude: -27.314 Longitude: 153.051
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date collected
- 04-Apr-2022
- Date published
- 2022
- Copyright note
- © The Author. Reproduced with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99708797402621
- Output Type
- Assignment/exercise; Plant Profile Sheet
- Teaching and Learning
- ENS221; Plant Diversity and Ecology
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