Re: kikuyu, aka?
Jan Smithen wrote:
>
> Peter and Margaret Moir wrote:
>
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 7:51 PM
> > Subject: kikuyu, aka?
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > What's the scientific name of "kikuyu"? I ought to know it, but I just
> > > can't remember now, and I don't have my books here. Are you referring to
> > > Ophiopogon? Liriope? Convallaria?
> > > Thanks a lot
> > > Alessandra
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Nothing so friendly I'm afraid Alessandra. It is Pennisetum clandestinum,
> > the dreaded and invincible Kikuyu grass.
> > Margaret,
> > Margaret River, Western Australia.
> > >
> P. clandestinum ? ! So ominous! Whoever named that monster was right on. It
> rapaciously spreads while you sleep!
Actually Jan the clandestinum refers not to its progress (which is quite
openly over the surface) but to its seeding arrangements. If I recall
correctly from my Kenya days (it is fortunately rare in my part of NZ)
it does not produce an upstanding infloresence, but hides it
reproduction down among the grass blades in a clandestine fashion..
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
