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Rhynchelytrum repens (Willd.) C. E. Hubb. Natal grass

Grass, leaves linear; inflorescence a terminal panicle, spikelets reddish purple, densely soft-ciliate, notably attractive to bees. Image at left photographed in Merida.

Additional images:

• spikelets (photographed in Merida)

Native to Africa, widely naturalized throughout Central America. Present at Kiuic in the parking area.

Early versions of this web site erroneously identified this species as Melinus minutiflora P. Beauv., a species also native to Africa and bearing pinkish spikelets, but differing by the presence of long bristles (on lemmas) and the absence of long silky hairs (on glumes and lemmas).