龍爪茅
龍爪茅 Crowfoot Grass
Scientific name：Dactyloctenium aegyptium
Gramineae 禾本科
Dactyloctenium 龍爪茅屬
MORPHOLOGY
Root
Roots develop at nodes and produce branches.
Stem
Annual herb, tufted, erect or prostrate, highly branched.
Leaf
Leaves are linear-lanceolate, with rounded blunt tips. The leaf margins and undersides are covered with soft hairs, and the leaf sheaths are flat.
Flower
The inflorescence is a spike, with 2-7 spike-like inflorescences arranged in a radiating pattern at the top of the flower stalk. The spikelets are densely packed in an overlapping pattern, resembling dragon claws, hence the name. Flowering period: May to October.
Fruit
Caryopsis, spherical or broadly inverted triangular, with wrinkled sides. Fruiting period: May to October.
Seed
The pericarp separates from the seed.
ADAPTABILITY
Tolerant to sunlight and high temperatures, drought-resistant, pollution-resistant, and strong wind-resistant, it has good sand-fixing capabilities and is considered a drought-tolerant weed.
DISTRIBUTION
Tropical regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Current Distribution
Crowfoot Grass is native to parts of Africa and Asia but has spread widely across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Australia, the Americas, and some Pacific islands. It typically inhabits coastal areas, riverbanks, and other moist, sandy environments.
ECOLOGY
Commonly grows in dry roadside areas and ditch banks. Currently, large communities of this plant grow in dry fields during summer and autumn.
Dragon claw grass gained importance as a food source during famines. Its excellent sand-fixing ability has led to its use in soil conservation in Australia. However, in the United States, it is considered a weed and an invasive species.
As a species in coastal and riverside ecosystems, Crowfoot Grass plays a role in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. It is tolerant of high salinity, making it a crucial component in coastal vegetation. The plant also provides habitat and food for various wildlife species, particularly birds that feed on its seeds.
APPLICATIONS
Traditionally, Crowfoot Grass has been used in some regions as fodder for livestock due to its rapid growth and abundance. It can also be used for soil stabilization in areas susceptible to erosion.
Despite its usefulness in certain contexts, Crowfoot Grass can be considered a weed in agricultural settings where it competes with crops. Its resilience and widespread distribution make it a plant of interest in studies of invasive species and their impacts on native ecosystems.
Crowfoot Grass is a fascinating example of a plant that, while often overlooked, plays significant roles in both ecological and human contexts. Its adaptability to harsh environments and its uses in soil conservation are particularly noteworthy.
拍攝地點：
國立中山大學