Desmostachya bipinnata, commonly known ashalfa grass,big cordgrass, andsalt reed-grass,[3] is anOld World perennial grass, long known and used in human history. The grass is tall, tufted, leafy, perennial grass, branching from the base, erect from a stout creeping rootstock.[4]
Desmostachya bipinnata is native to northeast and west tropical, and northern Africa (in Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia); and countries in the Middle East, and temperate and tropical Asia (in Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand).[5]
In agriculture,Desmostachya bipinnata is aweed commonly found inwheat crops.[6]
On the basis of distinct morphological and reproductive characters, four new subspecies ofD. bipinnata have been described by Pandeya and Pandeya (2002). However, it is uncertain whether these subspecies represent actual genetic differences, the authors also note the existence of different biotypes occurring in response to soil and climatic conditions in western India. The four subspecies proposed are:
Desmostachya bipinnata—darbha (दर्भः) or kuśa (कुशः) in Sanskrit—has long been used in various traditions (Hindus,Jains andBuddhists) as a very sacred plant. According to early Buddhist accounts, it was the material used byBuddha for his meditation seat when he attained enlightenment.[7] It is mentioned in theRig Veda for use in sacred ceremonies and also as a seat for priests and the gods.[8] Kusha grass is specifically recommended byKrishna in theBhagavad Gita as part of the ideal seat for meditation.[9][10][11]
Rope made from this grass was found in the Khufu ship. As well as the usual uses for mooring etc, the rope had been used as part of the ship's construction and had held it together.[12]
^Pandeya, Amita; Pandeya, S. C. (2002). "Environment and population differentiation in Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn.) Stapf in western India".Tropical Ecology.43 (2):359–362.CiteSeerX10.1.1.605.8410.
^"Establishing a firm seat for himself, In a clean place, Not too high, Not too low, covered with cloth, and antelope skin, and kusha grass" (B.G. VI:11)
^Mahdihassan, S. (1987)."Three Important Vedic Grasses"(PDF).Indian Journal of History of Science.22 (4):286–291. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on March 14, 2012. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2011.
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