GRASSLAND COMMUNITIES

in the
PHILIPPINES
Imperata cylindrica
(cogon) MUTI COGON HILLS, ZAMBOANGA CITY

The Philippines is home to an

abundance of cogon grass
(Imperata cylindrica). It is
best known for its extensive
distribution over wide areas
and is accessible all year long.

It grows from 0.6 to 3 m (2 to

10 feet) tall.
Imperata cylindrica
(cogon)

Its usage as animal feed could be

constrained due to poor voluntary
intake and low digestibility if
grazed. As compared to many
other tropical grasses, it has lower
digestibility, protein content, and
dry-season herbage production,
which restrict animal output
(Yunus et al., 2000).
Themeda triandra
bagokbok
In the Philippines, it is gathered in
open grasslands, undisturbed
areas, and occasionally at the
boundaries of farms; the
conditions are relatively dry and
higher elevation. It grows in many
soil types, but primarily in clay
(Müller, 1984).
It grows from 0.3 to 1.3 m and
its leaves are 10-50 cm long.
Themeda triandra
bagokbok
As a pasture, it is typically not
given significant attention
(Petheram & Kok, 1983) . When
young, this grass is palatable and
nutrient-rich, but as it matures, it
becomes fairly coarse (Skerman &
Riveros, 1990).
Chrysopogon aciculatos
(amorseco)
This grass is known to propagate
and spread quickly. It is typically
found in open, sunny, dry
locations like lawns, pastures, and
roadsides. Amorseco is found all
across the Philippines in open
areas at low to moderate altitudes.

Flowering stems are erect, 20

to 60 centimeters high.
Chrysopogon aciculatos
(amorseco)

It is frequently found in overgrazed

regions, is resistant to trampling, and
"tends to dominate with regular
burning" (Galinato et al., 1999). In a
study by Mueller-Dombois (1981),
Chrysopogon Acciculatus was one of
the two main plant species that are
subject to heavy goat grazing
pressure.
Fimbristylis spp.
Fimbristylis spp. is found all
across the Philippines. It has
established itself near canals and
wetlands after escaping
cultivation. It is one of the most
destructive weeds in rice fields. It
has become common in rice-
producing areas and is fiercely
competitive with rice (Holm,
1977) .
Erect sedge with fibrous root
system; 40-60 cm tall,
REFERENCES
:
Galinato, M. I., Moody, K. J., & Piggin, C. (1999). Upland rice weeds of South and Southeast Asia. Upland Rice Weeds of South

and Southeast Asia.

Holm, L. G. (1977). The World’s Worst Weeds: Distribution and Biology. University Press of Hawaii.

Mueller-Dombois, D. (1981). Vegetation dynamics in a coastal grassland of Hawaii. Vegetatio, 46–47(1), 131–140.

https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00118390

Müller, M. a. N. (1984). Grasses of South West Africa/Namibia.

Petheram, R. J., & Kok, B. (1983). Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. University of Western Australia Press.

Skerman, P. J., & Riveros, F. (1990). Tropical Grasses. Food & Agriculture Org.

Yunus, M., Ohba, N., Shimojo, M., Furuse, M., & Masuda, Y. (2000). Effects of adding urea and molasses on Napier grass silage

quality. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 13(11), 1542–1547.

GRASSLAND COMMUNITIES
in the
PHILIPPINES