Brachiaria serrata (Thunb.) Stapf

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Cleveland Dam, Harare

Photo: Bart Wursten
By path from Kopje Tops to Tingwa Raphia Palm Botanical Reserve, Mavhuradonha Wilderness Area

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Synonyms:	Brachiaria brachylopha Stapf Holcus serratus Thunb. Panicum andongense Rendle Panicum gossypinum A. Rich. Panicum scopuliferum Trin. Panicum serratum (Thunb.) Spreng. Sorghum serratum (Thunb.) Roem. & Schult.
Common names:	Velvet signal grass (English)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Perennial tufted grass, up to 1 m. The leaves are basal, short with thickened serrated margins. The spikelets are densely covered in reddish hairs.
Notes:	See B. nigropedata for comparison.
Derivation of specific name:	serrata: serrate, saw-toothed
Habitat:	In rocky areas of sandy or loamy soil in grassland or deciduous woodland.
Flowering time:	Oct - Mar
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical and South Africa.
Botswana distribution:
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Saturday 7 October 2017
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 10. Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 6. Clayton, W.D. (1989). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(3) Page 71. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 131. Jackson, G. & Wiehe, P.O. (1958). An Annotated Check List of Nyasaland Grasses The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland Page 32. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 101. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 127. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 132. Van Oudtshoorn, F.P. (1992). Grasses of South Africa Briza Publications, South Africa Page 253. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Brachiaria serrata:

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Flora of Malawi: Brachiaria serrata
Flora of Mozambique: Brachiaria serrata
Flora of Zambia: Brachiaria serrata
Flora of Zimbabwe: Brachiaria serrata

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Brachiaria serrata
African Plant Database: Brachiaria serrata
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Brachiaria serrata
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Brachiaria serrata
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Brachiaria serrata
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Brachiaria serrata
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Brachiaria serrata
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network): Brachiaria serrata
iNaturalist: Brachiaria serrata
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Brachiaria serrata
JSTOR Plant Science: Brachiaria serrata
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Brachiaria serrata
Kew Monocotyledon checklist: Brachiaria serrata
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Brachiaria serrata
Plants of the World Online: Brachiaria serrata
The Plant List (version 1.1): Brachiaria serrata
Tropicos: Brachiaria serrata
Wikipedia: Brachiaria serrata