Tragus (genus)

Taxobox
name = Tragus

---

image_width = 300px
image_caption = "Tragus racemosus", right.
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Cyperales
familia = Poaceae
genus = "Tragus"
genus_authority =
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

Tragus, commonly called burr grass or carrot-seed grass, is a genus in the grass family, Poaceae. Plants are monoecious, stoloniferous, and either annual or perennial depending on the species. The genus is primarily native to Africa, but has been introduced in subtropical and tropical areas around the world as weeds of disturbed areas. The culms (stems) are ascending or low and mat forming, glabrous, and circular in cross-section. Blades are flat or folded and linear, ligules membraneous and trichomatous. Flowers are born in narrow panicles; the primary branches are spirally arranged, each possessing 2-5 spikelets; each of these spikelets bears a single floret. Each floret has 3 stamens, the anthers of which are pale yellow. The caryopses (grains) are elliptical and golden-brown. [ [http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/taes/tracy/610/tragus.html RLEM 610 grass taxonomy tragus ] ]

Four species of "Tragus" have been introduced to North America: "T. australianus", "T. berteronianus", "T. heptaneuron", and "T. racemosus". The natural chromosome count is 2n = 20 in "T. berteronianus", and 2n = 40 in "T. racemosus". [http://herbarium.usu.edu/treatments/Tragus.htm] "Tragus" species utilize C4 photosynthesis. They prevent erosion, but make for poor grazing and in larger numbers indicate overgrazing. [ [http://www.fao.org/AG/AGP/agpc/doc/Gbase/Safricadata/trakoel.htm Tragus koelerioides ] ]

List of species

*"Tragus andicola"
*"Tragus australianus"
*"Tragus berteronianus"
*"Tragus heptaneuron"
*"Tragus koelerioides"
*"Tragus mongolorum"
*"Tragus pedunculatus"
*"Tragus racemosus"

References

External links

* [http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/tragus_berteronianus.htm Plants of Hawaii Gallery: Tragus berteronianus (Non-Native)]
* [http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/info.asp?name=Tragus_racemosus&type=illustration "Flora of America": Illustration of "Tragus bertonianus" and "T. racemosus"]