Palm-Leaf Foxtail Grass

Botanical Information

Botanical Classification

Poaceae; brown-leaved foxtail grass.

Morphological Characteristics

Perennial. Possesses a rhizome; fibrous roots are relatively tough. Culms are erect or slightly geniculate at the base, 0.75–2 meters tall, approximately 3–7 millimeters in diameter, up to 1 centimeter at the base, and bear buttress roots.Loose in structure, with dense or sparse wart-like hairs; a few parts are glabrous; the upper margin bears relatively dense, long cilia with wart-like bases; the hairs fall off easily; the lower margin is thin and papery, without cilia;The ligule is about 1 mm long, bearing cilia about 2–3 mm long; the leaf blade is spindle-shaped and broadly lanceolate, 20–59 cm long and 2–7 cm wide, with a gradually tapering apex; the base is narrowed into a petiole-like structure; the margin near the base bears wart-based hairs about 5 mm long; the blade has deep longitudinal folds and is wart-haired or glabrous on both surfaces.The inflorescence rachis is very long, spreading or slightly narrowed into a pyramidal shape, 20–60 cm long and 2–10 cm wide; the rachis is angular, with branches arranged sparsely and very coarse, up to 30 cm long;Spikelets are ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–4 mm long, arranged densely or sparsely on one side of the branches; some spikelets are supported by a single bristle, which is 5–10(14) mm long or shorter;The first glume is triangular-ovate, slightly pointed at the apex, 1/3–1/2 the length of the spikelet, with 3–5 veins; the second glume is 1/2–3/4 the length of the spikelet or slightly shorter, pointed at the apex, with 5–7 veins;The first floret is male or neutral; the first glume is as long as or slightly longer than the spikelet, with a gradually tapering apex forming a slightly curved point, and 5 veins; the inner glume is membranous, narrow and short, narrowly triangular in shape, and 2/3 the length of the outer glume;The second floret is bisexual; the second glume has indistinct transverse wrinkles, is as long as or slightly shorter than the first glume, and ends in a small, stiff point; mature spikelets do not easily detach. The scale sheath is wedge-shaped and slightly concave, with a darker color along the veins at the base; the styles are fused at the base.The caryopsis is ovate-lanceolate; at maturity, it often falls off without the glumes, 2–3 mm long, with indistinct transverse wrinkles. The upper and lower epidermis of the leaf consist of 3–4 central rows of deep-corrugated, thin-walled elongated cells between the veins, flanked by 2–3 rows of deep-corrugated, thick-walled elongated cells, with occasional short cells. Chromosome number 2n = 36 (Avdulov), 54 (Krishnaswamy).Flowering and fruiting occur from May to December.

Distribution Area

Distributed in Zhejiang, South China, and Southwest China.

Growth Habits

It prefers a warm and humid climate. It also possesses a certain degree of drought and cold tolerance. In northern Fujian Province, it can overwinter successfully even when the minimum winter temperature drops to –9°C.It is not particularly demanding in terms of soil or fertilizer and is suitable for cultivation in southern regions with red or yellow soils. Under favorable water and nutrient conditions, it grows vigorously and produces a high forage yield. However, it can also grow and develop normally in barren, arid areas prone to soil erosion. In such conditions, however, both forage and seed yields are lower, and the stems and leaves age more rapidly.

Propagation Methods

It is propagated by seed, but the germination rate is low. Furthermore, seedling growth is relatively slow in the year of sowing, and when sown alone, it does not readily cover the ground quickly; therefore, when establishing artificial pastures, mixed sowing is recommended.

Cultivation Techniques

Soil preparation requirements for brown-leaved foxtail: Slopes should be plowed and harrowed to a depth of about 15 cm; on flat land, raised beds are recommended to facilitate drainage.Organic fertilizer is recommended as the base fertilizer at a rate of 500 kg per mu; alternatively, urea and superphosphate mixed with the seeds as a seed dressing may be used in place of base fertilizer. Before sowing, the seeds should be sun-dried to improve germination rates. Sowing may be done by row or broadcast; for row sowing, the row spacing should be 30 cm. The seeding rate is 3 kg per mu, with a soil coverage depth of 1–2 cm. In seed production fields, hole sowing may also be used, with holes spaced 30 cm apart.When seedlings reach a height of 40–60 cm, they can be mowed or used for grazing. After each harvest, apply a top-dressing of 5–10 kg per mu each of urea and superphosphate. Brown-leaved foxtail can be intercropped with species such as Echinochloa crus-galli, Echinochloa longipetala, and Echinochloa colona; in such cases, the seeding rate should be reduced proportionally. For seed production, it is recommended to plant it as a monoculture to facilitate seed harvest.

Pest and Disease Control

No pest or disease damage has been observed under any cultivation conditions.