Fimbristylis miliacea, the grasslike fimbry[1] or hoorahgrass,[2] is a species of fimbry that probably originated in coastal tropical Asia but has since spread to most continents as an introduced species.[3] It is a widespread weed in some areas and is sometimes problematic in rice paddies.
Fimbristylis miliacea is an annual sedge which grows in clumps of erect stems up to about half a meter in height surrounded by fans of narrow flat leaves.[3] The top of each stem is occupied by an array of spikelets, each borne on a long peduncle.[3] The spikelet is spherical to ovate and reddish brown in color. The spikelets flower and then develop tiny fruits, which are brown achenes about a millimeter long.[3]
The name Fimbristylis miliacea is a combination made by Martin Vahl based on the name Scirpus miliaceus published by Carl Linnaeus in his 1759 10th edition of Systema Naturae.[4] Because of confusion surrounding this name, and following a failed attempt to conserve the name with a particular sense (nomen conservandum), a successful proposal was made in 2004 to have "Scirpus miliaceus" rejected (nomen rejiciendum) under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.[4] The two taxa to which the name Fimbristylis miliacea had previously been applied therefore became Fimbristylis quinquangularis and Fimbristylis littoralis.[4]
The species is found throughout many countries with a tropical or sub-tropical climate in southern and south-east Asia including: Australia,[5] Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. It has also been introduced into Ecuador, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Peru and Suriname.[2]
Fimbristylis miliacea habit Fimbristylis miliacea, the grasslike fimbry or hoorahgrass, is a species of fimbry that probably originated in coastal tropical Asia but has since spread to most continents as an introduced species. It is a widespread weed in some areas and is sometimes problematic in rice paddies.
