බැල තණ (Bala thana) Eleusine indica

Image source: www.discoverlife.org

Common name :  Bala thana

Scientific Name :  Eleusine indica

Family                : Poaceae

Life cycle           :  Annual

Morphological characteristics :

Goose grass forms a pale green mat like clump with flattened stems that grows in a low rosette. Stems are somewhat fleshy at the base.

Leaves - have a short membranous ligule with a jagged top .It is usually cleft in the center .There are no auricles.  

Flowers - cluster along stiff spikes. Usually 2 or 6 spikes radiate out at the end of the flowering stem. Sometimes one or two spikes are attached below the terminal cluster.

The fruit - tiny, reddish brown, one seeded, and enclosed in a thin covering

Seed - produced even when plants are closely mowed  

Image source: sciencephoto.com

                                      

·         Agricultural importance:

Growing in agricultural land. Spreading widely. competing with crop for resources.

·         Propagation:

Seeds

·         Uses                  : 

Animal feed

Have medicinal value

·         Control methods      :

Hand weeding & hoeing

Chemical control