Imperata is a small but widespread genus of tropical and subtropical grasses, commonly known as satintails.[1][2]
Satintails | |
---|---|
Imperata cylindrica | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
Supertribe: | Andropogonodae |
Tribe: | Andropogoneae |
Subtribe: | Saccharinae |
Genus: | Imperata Cirillo |
Type species | |
Imperata arundinacea |
Satintail grass species are perennial rhizomatous herbs with solid, erect stems and silky inflorescences. The best known species is Imperata cylindrica, which is recognized as a devastating noxious weed in many places and cultivated as an ornamental plant in others.[3][4][5][6]
The genus is named after Ferrante Imperato, a Renaissance apothecary who lived in Naples in the late-16th and early-17th centuries. His collection included a herbarium.[7][8][9]
As of November 2022[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[10]
Various species have been relocated to other genera, such as Cinna, Lagurus, Miscanthus Saccharum, and Tripidium:[11]