Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
rupicola
ID:
880255

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Rendle) Zizka

Source:
wcs

Year:
1988

Citation Micro:
Biblioth. Bot. 38(138): 124 (1988)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000879590

Common Names

  • Melinis rupicola
  • Rupicola Melinis
  • Rupicola's Melinis

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Description

Melinis rupicola (also called Rock Red Top, among many other common names) is an evergreen perennial grass with a clump-forming habit. It has thin, bright green leaves and reddish-purple flower spikes. It is native to tropical Africa and prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade.

Uses & Benefits

Melinis rupicola is used as an ornamental plant, for erosion control, and as a traditional medicine.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Melinis rupicola is white and small, with a yellow center. The seed is small, round, and black. The seedlings are small, with green leaves and a grey-green stem.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Melinis rupicola is native to tropical Africa and is widely cultivated as an ornamental grass. It is propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in spring in a warm, sunny position and kept moist until germination occurs. Division can be done in spring or autumn. The clumps should be divided and replanted in well-drained soil.

Where to Find Melinis rupicola

Melinis rupicola is native to Africa and can be found in the countries of Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Melinis rupicola FAQ

What is the scientific name of Melinis rupicola?

Melinis rupicola

What are the common names of Melinis rupicola?

Rupicola redtop

What is the natural habitat of Melinis rupicola?

It is found in open grassland, woodlands, and disturbed areas

Species in the Poaceae family

Achnatherum pekinense, Achnatherum pubicalyx, Achnatherum sibiricum, Achnatherum turcomanicum, Achnatherum brandisii, Achnatherum bromoides, Achnatherum calamagrostis, Achnatherum confusum, Achnatherum inebrians, Achnatherum jacquemontii, Achnatherum virescens, Achnatherum paradoxum, Achnatherum nakaii, Achnatherum pelliotii, Achnatherum haussknechtii, Achnatherum mandavillei, Achnatherum pilosum, Achnatherum parviflorum, Achnatherum staintonii, Aciachne acicularis, Aciachne flagellifera, Aciachne pulvinata, Acidosasa breviclavata, Acidosasa brilletii, Acidosasa chinensis, Acidosasa edulis, Acidosasa glauca, Acidosasa guangxiensis, Acidosasa lingchuanensis, Acidosasa nanunica, Acidosasa notata, Acidosasa purpurea, Acidosasa venusta, Acidosasa carinata, Acostia gracilis, Acrachne henrardiana, Acrachne perrieri, Acrachne racemosa, Acritochaete volkensii, Acroceras amplectens, Acroceras attenuatum, Acroceras boivinii, Acroceras bosseri, Acroceras calcicola, Acroceras chaseae, Acroceras diffusum, Acroceras elegans, Acroceras excavatum, Acroceras fluminense, Acroceras gabunense,

References

Alfred Barton Rendle (1865-1938): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Rendle' in the authors string.
Georg Zizka (b.1955): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Zizka' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:2945824-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].