Botanical Name: Brachiaria mutica
Family: Poaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Genus: Brachiaria
Species: B. mutica
Synonyms:
*Urochloa mutica (Forssk.) T.Q. Nguyen
*Panicum barbinode Trin.
*Panicum muticum Forssk.
*Panicum purpurascens Raddi.
Common Names: Para grass, Buffalo grass, Mauritius signal grass, Pasto pare, Malojilla, Gramalote, Parana, Carib grass, and Scotch grass.
Habitat: Brachiaria mutica is native to northern and central Africa and parts of the Middle East, where it is cultivated for fodder. It was introduced elsewhere and it is now cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world for this purpose.
Lodha people call it Mota-gundii
Description:
Brachiaria mutica is a vigorous grass, semi-prostrate perennial grass with creeping stolons which can grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) long. The stems have hairy nodes and leaf sheaths and the leaf blades are up to 2 centimetres (0.8 in) wide and 30 centimetres (12 in) long. It roots at the nodes and detached pieces of the plant will easily take root in moist ground. The flower-head is a loose panicle up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long with spreading branches. The paired spikelets are arranged in uneven rows and are elliptical and 2.5 to 5 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 in) long. The rachis is tinged with purple. Although many flower-heads grow, only a few viable seeds are produced, and propagation is usually by vegetative means. Brachiaria mutica can be distinguished from the closely related tanner grass (Brachiaria arrecta) by its paired spikelets, tanner grass having single spikelets.
Medicinal Uses:
Fresh stem is crushed. The juice thus obtained is diluted by mixing water in equal amount and the whole mixture thus obtained
is applied as eye drop to cure watering of eyes of cattle by the Lodhas.
Other Uses:
This grass is mainly cultivated to use as cattle fodder.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachiaria_mutica
http://www.crdeepjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Vol-3-3-1-IJBAS.pdf
