NAME: Eleusine indica
FAMILY: Poaceae (Grass family)
COMMON NAMES: Goosegrass, Wiregrass, Yard-grass
LOCAL NAMES: Amado, Ku muti (Malaysia), Dânsī (India), Kutsai (Zimbabwe)
MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Eleusine indica is a perennial grass that typically grows in tufts or clumps. It has a prostrate growth habit, with slender, wiry stems that can reach lengths of up to 1 meter. The leaves are long, narrow, and tapering, with rough edges. The inflorescence consists of several spike-like racemes that bear small, greenish-white flowers. The seeds are small, light brown, and oblong-shaped.
USEFUL PART(s): The aerial parts (leaves and stems) of Eleusine indica are primarily used.
GENERAL USES:
Medicinal Applications: In traditional medicine, Eleusine indica has been used to treat various health conditions. It is believed to have diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Infusions or decoctions made from the plant are used to relieve urinary problems, fever, cough, and digestive issues.
Forage and Livestock Feed: Eleusine indica is sometimes used as a forage grass for livestock, particularly in areas where it grows abundantly. It provides a source of fodder and can be grazed or cut for hay.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: Eleusine indica is a cosmopolitan species found in various parts of the world. It is native to Africa but has spread to other continents, including Asia, the Americas, Australia, and Europe. It thrives in disturbed habitats, such as lawns, gardens, agricultural fields, and roadsides.
WHY IS IT GREEN? Eleusine indica, like all plants, appears green due to the presence of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a pigment found in the chloroplasts of plant cells and is responsible for capturing sunlight and converting it into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. The green color arises from chlorophyll's ability to absorb light in the red and blue regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, while reflecting green light.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Eleusine indica can be considered both a valuable plant and a weed, depending on the context. It can be a problematic weed in agricultural fields, as it competes with crops for resources and can reduce crop yields. However, it also has some ecological benefits, such as providing erosion control and serving as a food source for wildlife.
FUN FACT: Eleusine indica is known by various common names, including Goosegrass and Wiregrass, due to its long, thin stems that resemble the appearance of wires or the feet of geese. Its ability to thrive and spread quickly has earned it the reputation of being a persistent and resilient weed.
Further Reading:
"Weeds of the World: Biology and Control" by Lawrence J. D. Morse
"Grasses: Systematics and Evolution" by David J. Gibson