Thuththiri Chrysopogon aciculatus

Common name  - Thuththiri 

Botanical name  - Chrysopogon aciculatus

Family  - Poaceae

Life cycle  - Perennial

Morphology 

• The culms ascending to 45 cm.
• Leaves sheaths striate, sometimes purple-tinged, imbricate, sparsely pilose at throat and along margins; ligule densely ciliate ridge; blades uppermost nearly obsolete, margins scabrous and sparely serrate,
• Inflorescence a small panicle, 7.5-10 cm long, with numerous slender branches. Spikelets narrow. Awn bristly, short and fine.
• The branches at first ascend almost vertically, spread obliquely at flowering and then bend upward again at fruiting.
• Each branch has three spikelets at its tip, one sessile and two pedicelled.
• Fruit/seeds caryopsis oblong

Propagation 

• With stout, tough rhizomes.
• Agricultural usage/ importance 
• Erosion control, lawns, forage and medicines

Control method 

• By grazing goats.