Ekmanochloa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ekmanochloa |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Bambusoideae |
| Tribe: | Olyreae |
| Subtribe: | Olyrinae |
| Genus: | Ekmanochloa Hitchc. |
| Type species | |
| Ekmanochloa subaphylla Hitchc.
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Ekmanochloa is a small genus (a group of closely related plants) of grasses. These special grasses are found only in Cuba, meaning they are endemic to that island.
What is Ekmanochloa?
Ekmanochloa grasses are perennial plants, which means they live for more than two years, often growing back each season. Their main stems, called culms, stand upright and can grow quite tall, usually between 38 and 100 centimeters (about 15 to 39 inches) high.
The culms have special joints, or nodes, which can sometimes look squeezed or swollen. The leaves of these grasses are interesting. They usually have two main parts: a sheath that wraps around the stem, and a flat blade. However, in some Ekmanochloa species, the leaf blades are very small. In these cases, the sheath and the stem take over the important job of photosynthesis, which is how plants make their own food using sunlight. The leaf blades, when present, can be long and narrow (linear) or shaped like a spearhead (lanceolate).
Types of Ekmanochloa
Currently, scientists recognize two main species within the Ekmanochloa genus:
- Ekmanochloa aristata (named by Ekman) — This species is found in the Sierra de Moa region of Cuba.
- Ekmanochloa subaphylla (named by C.L.Hitchcock) — This species grows in the Sierra de Nipe area of Cuba.
See also
In Spanish: Ekmanochloa para niños
