Saccharum narenga

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Ethiopia, Indian Subcontinent to S. China and Indo-China, Taiwan: Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Ethiopia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Himalaya as per POWO;
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Narenga porphyrocoma or Saccharum narenga is a beautiful grass found in the Terai and sub himalayan grasslands and also in central India. It is usually found in grasslands adjoining Sal forests. Due to destruction of habitat, this grass is now restricted to wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in these areas and has almost vanished from agriculture field bunds. The largest patch can be found along Mahendra highway in Nepal crossing through Bardia National Park. In central India, it is reported from Kanha National Park.
The picture itself is sufficient to identify and distinguish it from other species of Saccharum.
‘porphyr’ means fire and ‘coma’ means hair, referring to the fire coloured hairs. Probably ‘Narenga’ refers to the ‘narengi’ or orange colour of the inflorescence.

Nepali Name : खडाइ  Khadaai

 

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References:

POWO  The Plant List  GRIN (Author citation different from The Plant List- Saccharum narenga (Nees) Wall. ex Hack.) Flora of Pakistan  Annonated checklist of the flowering plants of Nepal  Flora of China