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Marantochloa filipes (Benth.) Hutch.
| Family Name: | Marantaceae |
| Synonyms: | Donax filipes (Benth.) K.Schum., Donax oligantha K.Schum., Marantochloa oligantha (K.Schum.) Milne-Redh., Phrynium filipes Benth. |
| Common Name: | Yoruba Soft Cane |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical West Africa - Angola, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone,Cabinda, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guld of Guinea Islands, Zaire, |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Rhizomatous herb to 2m tall |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves dark green, to 10cm long by 5cm wide. Under surface of leaves greyish green, mid rib raised, light green. |
| Flowers | Flowers pale salmon pink -white, to 1cm in length. |
| Habitat | Recorded from secondary forests & swamp forests |
| Taxonomy | Other synonyms include - Arundastrum filipes (Benth.) Kuntze Clinogyne eburnea A.Chev. Clinogyne filipes (Benth.) Benth. & Hook.f. Clinogyne oligantha (K.Schum.) K.Schum. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Roots Medicinal: In Nigeria, the plant is used in the treatment for boils. Others: In Ghana, the stems are used for making huts. In studies conducted in Guinea, the stems also form part of the diet of Chimpanzees. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Marsh / Bog, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31550 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5949 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
