Weeds are known in every part of the world, but most people are only familiar with the general understanding of weeds and don’t know much about weeds and their botanical names. If you’re curious about the plants growing in your own garden, check out this A to Z list of Nigerian weeds and their botanical names!
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1. African Club Moss
Many types of weeds and their botanical name do some form of harm to other plants, but not African Club Moss, or Selaginella kraussiana, as it’s known in botany. This plant has long fine roots and a stem with irregular branches that form a thick, attractive-looking green carpet on various soils. It can survive without sunlight and doesn’t need the ground the be moist to thrive.
2. African Feather Grass
African Feather Grass is known by many names: its botanical name is Cenchrus macrourus, but you may also know it as bedding or veld grass. This weed is actually harmful to humans: the hairs breaking off of the stem of African Feather Grass can cause skin irritations. Bedding grass is extremely durable and can survive even the most unfavourable weather conditions.
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3. African Olive
When it comes to Nigerian trees, their botanical names are often well-known, and African Olive is no exception. This short tree or shrub, also known as Olea europaea, thrives in all kinds of conditions, including heat and salt. African Olive produces a dense canopy of stems that are covered in bark.
4. Bahama Grass
Bahama Grass, or Cynodon dactylon, stems from Europe but has been growing in Africa for centuries. Not only is Bahama Grass a valuable source of nutrition for animals, but it also possesses a variety of health benefits for adults, including treatment of diabetes and digestive problems when consumed as a juice.
5. Buffalo Grass
Many of Nigerian plants and their botanical names come from Europe, but Buffalo Grass, or Stenotaphrum secundatum, has actually been brought from South America. Buffalo Grass is known for forming an attractive, uniform carpet of long and stout stems that often have a reddish colouring.
6. Carpet Grass
Unlike most other Nigerian weeds, Carpet Grass is actually very dependent on the conditions: it cannot stand dry soils or shady placement. Carpet Grass is also known as Axonopus compressus and is a perennial pasture grass that is a popular and effortless way to decorate parks and other public areas with a green mat.
7. Elephant Grass
Elephant Grass, or Pennisetum purpureum, has several other names – many also know it as Uganda or Napier grass. It’s the perfect grass for growing in tropical conditions and it’s also valued by farmers for its pest control abilities: surrounding fields with Elephant Grass is able to keep stem-borer moths away from the crops.
8. Wild Sunflower
Wild Sunflower is one of the best known names of flowers in Nigeria. Also known as the Aspilia Africana, Wild Sunflower is praised not only for its beautiful appearance, but also for its range of health benefits, which includes treatment of bee and scorpion stings and healing various wounds.
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