Ixophorus is a genus of Latin American plants in the grass family. The only recognized species is Ixophorus unisetus.[1] [2] Some authors have included one or two other species in the genus, such as I. pringlei, but these have more recently been reduced to synonymy.[2] Common names for I. unisetus include crane grass, turkey grass, Honduras grass, Mexican grass,[3] Central America grass, hático (Colombia), zacate blanco (El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico), and zacate chompipe (Nicaragua).[4]
This grass is native to Mexico, Central America, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. It is an introduced species in Hawaii.[5]
The grass is variable. It can be annual or perennial, growing up to 1.5 meters tall or remaining much shorter. The stem can be up to a centimeter wide and dry to nearly succulent. The inflorescence is an open panicle with up to 50 branches.[1]
This grass is grown for grazing and hay in some places, such as Costa Rica.[3]
Several taxa were once regarded as members of Ixophorus but are now regarded as better suited to other genera, such as Pennisetum and Setaria: