Broom Grass

Broom Grass a tall (up to 4m), reed-like rhizomatous grass, Thysanclaena maxima, of the family Poaceae (= Gramineae). Culms are solid, smooth and rounded, and as thick as a forefinger. Leaves are large, broad, somewhat resembling bamboo leaves. Flowers are borne in a dense bushy, foxtail-like terminal inflorescence 30-40 cm long. It is distributed throughout tropical Asia. In Bangladesh it grows on open steep slopes in the eastern hill forests.

The main use of the plant is for making brooms that are used for house sweeping and whitewashing buildings. The culms bearing matured inflorescence are used as broomsticks. The sticks are tied into bundles to make brooms. Its tender twigs are good cattle fodder. Elephants often feed on the whole plant. There are reports that its fruits have anti-fertility properties. Its strong underground rhizome system protects soil from erosion. It reproduces through seeds and rhizomes. Seedlings are of frequent occurrence in nature but the plant mostly multiplies by underground rhizome. It produces new shoots during April-May; starts flowering during September-October; inflorescence is ready for harvest by December-January and continues till March. Broomsticks are exported to Pakistan and Middle-Eastern countries. [M Khairul Alam]