Scientific name: Paspalum dilatatum Poiret

Common name: Paspalum

Family: Poaceae

Origin:

Native of South America.

Habit:

A perennial grass with broad leaves, forming clumps and short underground stems (rhizomes). Grows up to 1 m tall.

Habitat:

Common weed of tended areas. Used as a pasture grass in some regions.

General description:

Stems and leaves

The sheaths of the leaves are hairless, although sometimes the sheaths of lower leaves have sparse long hairs. the blades of the leaves are slightly contracted at the base, usually hairless, 6-45 x 0.3-1.2 cm with margins that are rough to touch.

Flowers and fruit

the inflorescences are up to 25 cm long, with 2-11 spike-like branches 2.5-11 cm long arranged alternatively along the up right stalk. The branches diverge at approximate from the main stalk. The seeds are elliptical 3-4 m long, arranged alternatively in pairs so that there appears to be 4 rows.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Perennial broad leafed grass forming clumps growing up to 1 m tall. The inflorescence is branched with 3-7 lateral branches diverging at approximately 90 degrees from the main stem. This species is similar to Paspalum urvillei (vasey grass) which has smaller seeds (2-3 mm long) compared with 3-4 mm long in Paspalum dilatatum (paspalum). The former is also usually larger (1-2.5 m tall) and has 12-20 branches in its inflorescences.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 3. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.