Description
Molasses (scientific name: Melinis minutiflora P.Beauv.) is a plant belonging to the genus Molasses of the family Gramineae, a perennial cultivated forage; the plant is covered with glandular hairs and has a molasses flavor. The culm is multi-branched, the base is lying, rooting at the nodes, and the upper part is upright. Leaf sheaths are shorter than internodes, sparsely pilose and tumor base hairs. The panicles are unfolding, 10-20 cm long, and the final branches are slender and bowed. Caryopsis oblong. Flower and fruit period from July to October.
It is native to Africa and has been introduced and cultivated by many tropical countries. It is suitable for growing between 30° north and south latitudes. There are introductions and cultivation in Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and Sichuan of China. It grows on well-drained soil in areas with a rainfall of 800-1800 mm.
Molasses grass has a long nutritional growth period, soft grass quality and good palatability. It is a high-quality forage for cattle, which can be used for grazing, green feed, sun-dried hay or modulated silage. Molasses is planted on the red soil with severe soil erosion in southern China, and it can also grow well, forming a thick layer of grass and covering the ground. It is a pioneer grass species for controlling soil erosion and improving grassland.
