Scientific Name :Pennisetum purpureum
Vernacular Name :Urubingo
Family name :Urubingo
Geographic Distribution :everywhere in Rwanda between 1300 m – 2500 m.
Botanical Description
Pennisetum purpureum is perennial grass with blade leaf. It produces shoots and is moderately tillering. The stem growth take place from internode expansions. The inflorescences is a round long spike.
Medicinal Use
Is used as a diuretic, laxative, and for parasitic infection and venereal diseases. The use of Pennisetum purpureum in the treatment of poliomyelitis like symptoms has been revealed by a Kashangirwa Richard, aTMP in Kigali. In this treatment, the plant is used in combination with Clerondendrum rotundifolium, Indigofera erecta, Rhamnus prinoides Peponium vogelii, and Aspergus racenosus . Other medicinal plant may be added for a more efficient treatmet, he added.
Other Use
fodder for domestic animals . It is a forage gras.