Wikipedia
Achnatherum robustum
Achnatherum robustum, commonly known as sleepy grass, (synonyms Stipa robusta, also Stipa vaseyi subsp. robusta) is a perennial plant in the Poaceae or grass family.
| Sleepy grass | |
|---|---|
| Line drawing of Achnatherum robustum from Lamson-Scribner's American grasses (illustrated), 1899 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Achnatherum |
| Species: | A. robustum |
| Binomial name | |
| Achnatherum robustum (Vasey) Barkworth[2] | |
Distribution edit
It grows on dry soil in the U.S. Midwest, ranging from South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico to Texas and Arizona, California and Hawaii.
Ecology edit
Sleepy grass plants harboring a fungal species (of the genus Neotyphodium), contain ergoline compounds, such as lysergic acid amide (common name, ergine). These compounds appear to be responsible for the sedative effects on mammals when they ingest the infected grass.[3]
References edit
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer - Achnatherum robustum". NatureServe Explorer Achnatherum robustum. NatureServe. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 22 Jun 2022.
- ^ USDA; NRCS (2007). "The PLANTS Database". National Plant Data Center. from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
- ^ Petroski, RJ; Powell, RG; Clay, K (1992). "Alkaloids of Stipa robusta (sleepygrass) infected with an Acremonium endophyte". Natural Toxins. 1 (2): 84–8. doi:10.1002/nt.2620010205. PMID 1344912.
External links edit
- USDA Plants Profile for Achnatherum robustum (sleepygrass)