Eragrostis cilianensis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64403018a7302502524218 |
| Scientific name | Eragrostis cilianensis |
| Authority | (All.) Vignolo ex Janch. |
| First published in | Mitt. Naturwiss. Vereins Univ. Wien 5: 110 (1907) |
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Eragrostis cilianensis is primarily grazed by livestock and harvested as hay for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. The plant tolerates intermittent grazing and quickly regrows after cutting, making it suitable for rotational grazing systems. When cut at early bloom and air‑dried to about 12 % moisture, the hay yields a product with moderate crude protein (about 8–10 % on a dry‑matter basis) and a high proportion of neutral‑detergent fiber, providing a balanced forage for ruminants. The species can also be ensiled under anaerobic conditions, giving a conserved feed for periods of forage shortage. In semi‑arid regions, E. cilianensis is frequently sown as a low‑cost pasture to extend the grazing season.
Industrial and craft applications:
The grass is listed among non‑wood fiber resources in FAO publications and can be processed into pulp for paper and packaging. Pulping trials using the soda‑anthraquinone (SAQ) method have shown pulp yields of roughly 45 % (cooked weight) and brightness values around 55 % ISO after a moderate bleaching sequence, comparable to other annual grasses used for corrugating medium. In laboratory investigations, the species has been evaluated as a cellulosic feedstock for bioethanol conversion. Acid pretreatment followed by enzymatic saccharification has released fermentable sugars at rates comparable to those reported for switchgrass, indicating suitability for second‑generation biofuel production.
Properties relevant to use:
The harvested material consists of the aboveground shoots and inflorescences, which are baled or chopped for transport. Chemical analyses of the dry biomass report cellulose concentrations of about 44–48 % and lignin around 16–20 % by weight, typical for C4 grasses. The material contains 5–8 % ash and, when baled, has a bulk density of roughly 120–150 kg m⁻³. Energy content on a dry basis is about 18 MJ kg⁻¹, similar to other herbaceous biomass. Reported annual dry‑matter yields range from 3 to 5 t ha⁻¹ under favorable moisture and temperature conditions.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Because E. cilianensis completes its life cycle in a single year and self‑seeds readily, it can be cultivated with minimal reseeding inputs. The plant thrives on disturbed or low‑fertility sites, reducing competition with food crops and allowing use of marginal land. Growing the species as a short‑term cover crop or bio‑energy feedstock can increase soil organic carbon by an estimated 0.3–0.5 t ha⁻¹ per year, contributing to carbon sequestration. Its rapid growth and tolerance to drought support low‑input, high‑biomass production, though the weedy habit requires careful management to prevent unwanted spread.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Briza eragrostis | L. | Sp. Pl. : 70 (1753) |
| Briza megastachya | hort. ex Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 225 (1840) |
| Briza oblonga | Moench | Methodus : 185 (1794) |
| Briza purpurascens | Muhl. | Descr. Gram. : 154 (1817) |
| Calotheca purpurascens | Spreng. | Syst. Veg. 1: 348 (1824) |
| Eragrostis argentina | Jedwabn. | Bot. Arch. 5: 193 (1924) |
| Eragrostis articulata | De Wild. | Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 6: 58 (1919) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis f. megastachya | (Koeler) Maire & Weiller | in Fl. Afr. Nord 2: 175 1953 |
| Eragrostis cilianensis subsp. major | (Host) Maire & Weiller | in Fl. Afr. Nord 2: 175 1953 |
| Eragrostis cilianensis subsp. megastachya | (Koeler) Maire & Weiller | in Fl. Afr. Nord 2: 175 1953 |
| Eragrostis cilianensis subsp. starosselskyi | (Grossh.) Tzvelev | Zlaki SSSR : 634 (1976) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis var. starosselskyi | (Grossh.) Dobignard & Portal | Eragrostis France & Europe Occid. : 193 (2002) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis var. subbiloba | (Chiov.) Dobignard & Portal | Eragrostis France & Europe Occid. : 195 (2002) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis var. thyrsiflora | (Willk.) Dobignard & Portal | Eragrostis France & Europe Occid. : 197 (2002) |
| Eragrostis costata | Turner | Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 30: 91 (1905) |
| Eragrostis eragrostis | MacMill. | Metasp. Minnesota Valley : 75 (1892) |
| Eragrostis flexuosa | Steud. | Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1(3): 266. 1854 [1855 publ. 12-13 Apr 1854] |
| Eragrostis leersioides | (J.Presl) Steud. | Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 263 1854 |
| Eragrostis major | Host | Icon. Descr. Gram. Austriac. 4: t. 24 (1809) |
| Eragrostis major var. subbiloba | (Chiov.) Chiov. | Result. Sci. Miss. Stefan.-Paoli Somal. Ital. 1: 187 1916 |
| Eragrostis megalostachya | St.-Lag. | Étude Fl., ed. 8 [A. Cariot] 2: 935. 1889 |
| Eragrostis megastachya | (Koeler) Link | Hort. Berol. 1: 187 (1827) |
| Eragrostis megastachya f. nana | Lorentz & Niederl. | Exped. Rio Negro, Bot 272 1881 |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. cilianensis | (All.) Asch. & Graebn. | Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 2(1): 371. 1900 |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. compacta | (Regel) Krylov | Fl. Zap. Sibiri 2: 357 1928 |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. thyrsiflora | Willk. | Prodr. Fl. Hispan. 1: 83 (1861) |
| Eragrostis monodii | A.Camus | Mém. Univ. Alger Inst. Recherch. Sahar. 4: 97 (1958) |
| Eragrostis multiflora f. violacea | N.Terrac. ex Chiov. | Annuario Reale Ist. Bot. Roma 8: 65 1908 |
| Eragrostis multiflora var. cilianensis | (All.) Maire | Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique N. 30: 369. 1939 |
| Eragrostis multiflora var. glandulifera | Chiov. | Ann. Bot. (Rome) 8: 370. 1908 |
| Eragrostis multiflora var. insularis | Chiov. | Annuario Reale Ist. Bot. Roma 8: 65. 1902 |
| Eragrostis multiflora var. subbiloba | Chiov. | Annuario Reale Ist. Bot. Roma 8: 370 1908 |
| Eragrostis oblonga | (Moench) Baumg. | Enum. Stirp. Transsilv. 3: 238 1816 |
| Eragrostis pappiana var. insularis | (Chiov.) Mattei | Boll. Reale Orto Bot. Palermo 9: 60 1910 |
| Eragrostis pappii | Gand. | Bull. Soc. Bot. France 66: 299 (1919 publ. 1920) |
| Eragrostis polyadenia | Mattei | Boll. Reale Orto Bot. Palermo 9: 60 (1910) |
| Eragrostis polymorpha | Roem. & Schult. | Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 2: 575 (1817) |
| Eragrostis polysperma | Peter | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 40(1 Anh.): 112 (1930) |
| Eragrostis pooides var. compacta | Regel | Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 41(II): 295. 1869 |
| Eragrostis poaeoides var. megastachya | A.Gray | Manual ed. 2: 563 1856 |
| Eragrostis schweinfurthiana | Jedwabn. | Bot. Arch. 5: 194 (1924) |
| Eragrostis starosselskyi | Grossh. | Bot. Mater. Gerb. Glavn. Bot. Sada R.S.F.S.R. 4: 18 (1923) |
| Eragrostis thyrsiflora | Willk. & Lange | Prodr. Fl. Hispan. 1: 83 (1861) |
| Eragrostis triticea | Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 564 (1840) |
| Eragrostis virletii | E.Fourn. & E.Fourn. | Mexic. Pl. 116, descr. 1886 |
| Eragrostis vulgaris | Presl ex Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed. 2. i. 561. |
| Eragrostis vulgaris subsp. megastachya | (Koeler) Douin | Fl. Ill. France 12: 32. 1934 (1934) |
| Eragrostis vulgaris var. megastachya | Coss. & Germ. | Fl. Descr. Anal. Paris : 641 (1845) |
| Erosion cilianense | (All.) Lunell | Amer. Midl. Naturalist 4: 221. 1915 (1915) |
| Megastachya eragrostis | (L.) Roem. & Schult. | Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 2: 575, 584 (1817) |
| Megastachya leersioides | C.Presl | Cyper. Gramin. Sicul. : 44 (1820) |
| Megastachya oblonga | P.Beauv. | Ess. Agrostogr. : 74 (1812) |
| Megastachya obtusa | Schult. | Mant. 2: 326 (1824) |
| Megastachya purpurascens | Schult. | Mant. 2: 326 (1824) |
| Megastachya triticea | C.Presl | Cyper. Gramin. Sicul. : 45 (1820) |
| Poa cachectica | Schumach. | Beskr. Guin. Pl. : 66 (1827) |
| Poa cilianensis | All. | Fl. Pedem. 2: 246 (1785) |
| Poa eragrostis | (L.) Brot. | Fl. Lusit. 1: 103 (1804) |
| Poa flava | Willd. ex Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 563 (1840) |
| Poa flexuosa | Roxb. | Fl. Ind. 1: 340 (1820) |
| Poa leersioides | Guss. | Fl. Sicul. Prodr. 1: 98 (1827) |
| Poa megastachya | Koeler | Descr. Gramin. : 181 (1802) |
| Poa nuttallii | Spreng. | Syst. Veg. 1: 344 (1824) |
| Poa oblonga | Baumg. | Enum. Stirp. Transsilv. 3: 238 (1816) |
| Poa obtusa | Nutt. | Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 1: 67 (1818) |
| Poa pennsylvanica | Nutt. | Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 1: 67 (1818) |
| Poa philadelphica | W.P.C.Barton | Comp. Fl. Philadelph. 1: 62 (1818) |
| Poa polymorpha | J.Koenig ex Rottler | Neue Schriften Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin 4: 194 (1803) |
| Poa roxburghiana | Schult. | Mant. 2: 315 (1824) |
| Poa tortuosa | Spreng. | Syst. Veg. 1: 345 (1825) |
| Poa triticea | Kunth | Révis. Gramin. 1: 116 (1829) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis subsp. thyrsiflora | (Willk.) H.Scholz & Valdés | Willdenowia 36: 664 (2006) |
| Eragrostis minor var. megastachya | (A.Gray) Jeps. | Fl. W. Calif. [Jepson] 60. 1901 |
| Eragrostis leersioides var. leersioides | (C.Presl) K.Richt. | |
| Eragrostis leersioides | Guss. | Fl. Sicul. Syn. 1: 103. 1843; Steud. Syn. Pl. Gram. 263. |
| Eragrostis multiflora var. leersioides | (Guss.) Richt. | Pl. Eur. 1: 73 1890 |
| Eragrostis multiflora var. triticea | (C.Presl) Richt. | Fl. Eur. 1: 73 1890 |
| Eragrostis pappiana var. insularis | Terracciano ex Chiov. | Annuario Reale Ist. Bot. Roma none given |
| Poa triticea | (C.Presl) Guss. | Fl. Sic. Prodr. 1: 98 1827 |
| Briza major | Desv. ex Kunth | Enum. Pl. [Kunth] 1: 371. 1833 [Jul-Aug 1833] |
| Eragrostis multiglandulosa | H.Scholz | Willdenowia 41: 324 (2011) |
| Eragrostis eragrostis subvar. leersioides | Farw. | Amer. Midl. Naturalist 10: 306 (1927) |
| Eragrostis eragrostis var. megastachya | Farw. | Rep. (Annual) Michigan Acad. Sci. 17: 182 (1916) |
| Eragrostis pilosa subsp. triticea | (C.Presl) K.Richt. | Pl. Eur. 1: 73 (1890) |
| Eragrostis vulgaris subsp. major | (Beck) Rouy | Fl. France 14: 462 (1913) |
| Eragrostis pilosa subsp. leersioides | (C.Presl) K.Richt. | Pl. Eur. 1: 73 (1890) |
| Briza eragrostis var. megastachya | Gareizo | Synopsis Anal. Fl. Gard : 313 (1847) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis var. minoroides | P.Monts. | Collect. Bot. (Barcelona) 16: 428 (1964) |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. acutiuscula | Hack. | Allg. Bot. Z. Syst. 15: 156 (1909) |
| Eragrostis pooides var. major | (Host) Neilr. | Fl. Nied.-Oesterr. : 62 (1859) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis var. leersioides | (C.Presl) Maire | Cat. Pl. Maroc 4: 935 (1941) |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. paucispicula | A.Reyn. | Bull. Acad. Int. Géogr. Bot. 12: 6 (1903) |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. microstachya | Coss., Germ. & Wedd. | Introd. Fl. Anal. Paris : 142 (1842) |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. leersioides | (C.Presl) Pant. | Verh. Vereins Natur- Heilk. Presburg , n.f., 2: 15 (1871) |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. verrucosa | Schltdl. | Linnaea 27: 477 (1852) |
| Eragrostis major var. conferta | Ten. | Syll. Pl. Fl. Neapol. : 558 (1831) |
| Poa megastachya var. minor | Guss. | Fl. Sicul. Prodr. , Suppl.: 21 (1832) |
| Poa megastachya var. intermedia | Guss. | Fl. Sicul. Prodr. , Suppl.: 21 (1832) |
| Poa megastachya var. densiflora | Guss. | Fl. Sicul. Prodr. , Suppl.: 21 (1832) |
| Eragrostis minor var. major | Beck | Fl. Nieder-Österreich 1: 118 (1890) |
| Eragrostis minor var. megastycha | (Koeler) Burtt Davy | |
| Eragrostis pooides var. megastachya | (Koeler) A.Gray | |
| Eragrostis megastachya var. densiflora | (Guss.) Guss. | Fl. Sicul. Syn. 1: 103 (1843) |
| Eragrostis megastachya f. thessalonica | Charrel | Oesterr. Bot. Z. 42: 411 (1892) |
| Eragrostis cilianensis f. leersioides | (C.Presl) Maire | Fl. Afrique N. 2: 175 (1953) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | stinkgrass |
| English | candy grass |
| English | gray lovegrass |
| English | stink grass |
| English | stink lovegrass |
| English | stinking eragrostis |
| Afrikaans | stink-eragrostis |
| Arabic | أثب مهدب |
| Czech | milička velkokvětá |
| Welsh | serchwellt drewllyd |
| German | großes liebesgras |
| Finnish | tanakkaröllinurmikka |
| Latvian | lielvārpu eragroste |
| Dutch | stinkend liefdegras |
| Swedish | stort kärleksgräs |
| Chinese | 大畫眉草 |
| Chinese | 大画眉草 |
| Chinese | 大画眉草花 |
| Chinese | 星星草 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
-
Macaronesia
- Azores
- Cape Verde
- Madeira
-
Middle Atlantic Ocean
- Saint Helena
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Socotra
- Somalia
- Sudan
-
Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
-
Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Cape Provinces
- Caprivi Strip
- Free State
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
-
West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Togo
-
West-central Tropical Africa
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Rwanda
- Zaïre
-
Western Indian Ocean
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Rodrigues
- Réunion
-
East Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Arabian Peninsula
- Gulf States
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
-
Caucasus
- North Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
- Inner Mongolia
- Manchuria
- Qinghai
- Xinjiang
-
Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
- Nansei-shoto
- Taiwan
-
Middle Asia
- Kazakhstan
- Kirgizstan
- Tadzhikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
-
Mongolia
- Mongolia
-
Russian Far East
- Primorye
-
Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Cyprus
- East Aegean Islands
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon-Syria
- Palestine
- Sinai
- Turkey
-
Arabian Peninsula
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
-
Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Myanmar
- Nicobar Nicobar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Maluku
- Philippines
- Sulawesi
-
Papuasia
- New Guinea
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Australasia click to expand
-
Australia
- New South Wales
- Norfolk Island
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
-
New Zealand
- Chatham Islands
- New Zealand North
-
Australia
-
Europe click to expand
-
Eastern Europe
- Krym
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
-
Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Great Britain
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Kriti
- Romania
- Sicilia
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
-
Southwestern Europe
- Baleares
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
-
Eastern Europe
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Eastern Canada
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Québec
-
Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
-
North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
-
Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia
-
Northwestern U.S.A.
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wyoming
-
South-central U.S.A.
- New Mexico
- Texas
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
-
Southwestern U.S.A.
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
-
Western Canada
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
-
Eastern Canada
-
Pacific click to expand
-
North-central Pacific
- Hawaii
-
Southwestern Pacific
- New Caledonia
-
North-central Pacific
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Brazil
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
-
Caribbean
- Bermuda
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
-
Central America
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
-
Northern South America
- Venezuela
-
Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Argentina Northwest
- Argentina South
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
-
Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Galápagos
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000867548 |
| UNII | 251GUD348A |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 200 |
| Flora of Alabama | 4791 |
| Canadensys | 7627 |
| USDA Plants | ERCI |
| Tropicos | 25520922 |
| INPN | 96585 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1104599-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-412374 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 527795 |
| Observations.org | 117480 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 48734 |
| NBN Atlas | NHMSYS0000458500 |
| Nature Serve | 2.141228 |
| IPNI | 1104599-2 |
| iNaturalist | 76849 |
| GBIF | 2705369 |
| Freebase | /m/03m4ttm |
| WisFlora | 3544 |
| EPPO | ERAME |
| EOL | 1114349 |
| Elurikkus | 286953 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 3029 |
| USDA GRIN | 27885 |
| Wikipedia | Eragrostis_cilianensis |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
No natural compounds are linked yet. If you wish to help please use this tool.
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |