PASPALUM
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Paspalum L., Syst. Nat. 10th edn, 855 (1759); from the Greek paspalos (a kind of millet).
Type: P. dissectum (L.) L.
Annual or perennial (mostly perennial, in Australia all species are perennial), rhizomatous or without rhizomes, stoloniferous or without stolons. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent; nodes hairy or glabrous (mostly glabrous). Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths or shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves distinctly distichous or not distinctly distichous; ligule membranous (frequently with a fringe of setaceous hairs on the leaf blade at the base of the ligule); blades flat to involute. Plants with hermaphrodite florets. Inflorescence a panicle or a solitary spikelet, exserted at maturity. Spikelets with disarticulation at the base of the spikelet, 2 flowered, dorsally compressed, lanceolate to obovate. Glumes usually1 (lower usually absent),; upper glume lanceolate to obovate, 2–7 nerved, hairy to glabrous, puberulent to villous, muticous or mucronate. Lower floret sterile; lemma hyaline to membranous, 2–7 nerved, indumentum shorter than the spikelet, villous, with apex acuminate to rounded; palea absent. Upper floret bisexual, subequal to or shorter than the lower floret; lemma yellow to brown, cartilaginous to indurate, smooth to striate, lanceolate, elliptic, ovate or obovate; palea indurate, uniformily striate to irregularily striate. Hilum short. x = 10 and 12. 2n = 20, 40, 48, 50, 60, 63 and 80.
Approximately 250 species primarily found in the tropics and subtropics, concentrated in the New World where they are important in native grasslands. Sixteen species in Australia, 4 native and 12 introduced. Numerous species have been introduced in experimental plots in Qld and W.A. Many Paspalum species are noxious weeds whereas others have proved to be excellent in improved pastures. The genus is best recognised by its plano-convex abaxial spikelets, often with a hemispherical or oblong shape. The lack of a lower glume is also a useful diagnostic feature, but in about 10 species a tiny lower glume is irregularly present (Clayton and Renvoize, 1986).
A.Chase, The North American species of Paspalum. Contr. U.S. Natl Herb. 28: 1–310 (1929); J.W. Vickery. Paspalum in R.H. Anderson, Flora of New South Wales 19(1): 115–124 (1961); R.de Koning, & M.S.M.Sosef, The Malesian species of Paspalum L. (Gramineae). Blumea 30: 279–318 (1985); R.D.Webster, Paspalum in Austral. Paniceae 169–182 (1987); W.J. Crins, Paspalum in The genera of Paniceae (Gramineae: Panicoideae) in the Southeastern United States, Journal Arn. Arboret. Supp. Ser. 1: 277-305 (1991).
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1 Inflorescence of 2 racemes at end of a culm, sometimes with a third one below |
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2 Spikelets 1.4-1.6 mm long |
1*P. conjugatum |
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2: Spikelets 2.5‑4.5 mm long |
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3 Upper glume finely pubescent |
2.P. distichum |
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3: Upper glume glabrous |
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4 Rhizomatous; spikelet width ± 2/3 length |
3. *P. notatum |
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4: Stoloniferous or tufted; spikelet width to ½ length |
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5 Plants tufted |
4. P. multinodum |
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5: Plants stoloniferous |
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6 Racemes to 7.5 cm long; spikelets 3‑3.5 mm long |
5. P. vaginatum |
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6: Racemes to 11 cm long; spikelets 4‑4.5 mm long |
6: P. batianoffii |
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1: Inflorescence of 1 ‑ many racemes along a common elongated axis |
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7 Spikelets borne singly in 2 rows along raceme |
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8 Plant usually less than 1 m tall |
7. P. scrobiculatum |
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8: Robust plant 1‑2 m tall |
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9 Spikelets 1.7-2.6 mm long; inflorescence with 1 raceme |
8. *P. setaceum var. ciliatifolium |
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9: Spikelets more than 3 mm long; inflorescence with at least 2 racemes |
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10 Spikelets ± 3.5 mm long, glabrous; plants with 2-6 racemes |
4. P. multinodum |
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10: Spikelets ± 4 mm long, slightly hairy; plants with at least 13 racemes |
9. *P. fasciculatum |
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7: Spikelets borne in pairs in 4 regular or irregular rows along raceme |
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11 Spikelets less than 1.5 mm long |
10*P. paniculatum |
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11: Spikelets 2‑4 mm long |
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12 Fertile lemma brown, distinctly convex |
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13 Plants rhizomatous |
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14 Spikelets loosely and sparsely hairy, without hairs concentrated along the margins; leaves to 3.5 mm wide |
11. *P. nicorae |
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14: Spikelets with white hairs to 0.5 mm long, sometimes concentrated along the margins; leaves 1.2-2 cm wide |
12. * P. regnellii |
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13: Plants tufted, not rhizomatous |
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15 Spikelets 2‑2.3 mm long |
13. *P. mandiococcum |
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15: Spikelets at least 2.5 mm long |
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16 Spikelets usually glabrous; upper lemma dark brown and shining |
14.*P. plicatulum |
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16: Spikelets pubescent; upper lemma light brown, not shining |
15.*P. virgatum |
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12: Fertile lemma white to straw coloured, gently convex |
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17 Spikelets fringed with long silky hairs |
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18 Spikelets 3‑4 mm long |
16.*P. dilatatum |
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18: Spikelets 2‑3 mm long |
17. *P. urvillei |
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17: Spikelets without long silky hairs |
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19 Rachis 2‑3 mm wide |
18. P. longifolium |
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19: Rachis less than 1 mm wide |
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20 Spikelets 2‑2.6 mm long |
19.*P. quadrifarium |
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20: Spikelets 3‑4 mm long |
20.*P. exaltatum |
? P. dasypleurum (formerly naturalised in Vic)
1. *Paspalum conjugatum P.J. Bergius, Acta. Helv. Phys.-Math. 7: 129, t. 8 (1762) [1772]
T: Surinam, Rolander in Herb. Bergius 36; lecto: SBT, fide R. de Koning & M.S.M. Sosef, Blumea 30: 290 (1985).
Illustrations: R.de Koning & M.S.M.Sosef, Blumea 30: 291, fig. 1 (1985); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 465 (1993); Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K. M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 574 (2003).
Perennial, rhizomatous, stoloniferous. Flowering culms caespitose, 20–100 cm tall, 3–10 noded. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths or shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.3–1.5 mm long; blades flat, 6–20 cm long, 5–15 mm wide. Inflorescence of more than one raceme; primary branches digitate, 2, 4–16 cm long. Spikelets 120–250 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 1.4–1.6 mm long, 0.8–1.2 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 1.2–1.8 mm long, elliptic, 2 nerved, glabrous, muticous or mucronate. Lower floret sterile; lemma 1.2–1.8 mm long, 0.8–1.2 mm wide, hyaline, 2 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 1.2–1.8 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous, smooth to irregularly striate, elliptic; palea cartilaginous, smooth to irregularily striate. 2n = 40 (Honfi, A. I., C. L. Quarin & J. F. M. Valls, Darwiniana 30: 87–94 (1990)). Sourgrass, Watergrass.
Introduced from South America; coastal E Australia from Cape York to north coast of N.S.W., in wetter areas. Isolated records from near Darwin, N.T. and the Kimberley, W.A. A pantropical weed. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, and temperate rain forests. Flowering Apr. to Aug. Map 1034.
W.A.: Ord R., J.Petheram 371 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Winnellie, May 1979, L.Henderson (DNA). Qld: 6 km E of Proserpine, B.K.Simon 3413 (BRI); Bundulla River Bridge, M.Lazarides 4229 (CANB); Yeppoon, B.K.Simon 2562 (BRI, CANB).
A morphologically very stable species, which may result from a high dependence on vegetative reproduction. Preferring wet roadsides or ditches and quickly spreading via highly productive stolons.
A serious weed of orchards, vineyards, sugarcane, lawns and golf courses. Moreover, the stoloniferous plants trail in irrigation channels and reduce water flow. Poor reputation as fodder, highly productive under good circumstances, suitable for grazing only when young.
2. *Paspalum distichum L., Syst. Nat. 10th edn, 2: 855 (1759)
T: Jamaica, P.Browne; lecto: LINN 79.9 (IDC microfiche), second specimen from the left, fide M.Guédès, Taxon 25: 513 (1976).
Digitaria paspalodes Michx., Fl. Bor. Amer. 1: 46 (1803). Paspalum paspalodes (Michx.) Scribn., Mem. Torr. Bot. Cl. 5: 29 (1894). Type: (location uncertain). References: Loxton, Bothalia 11(3): 243–245 (1974). Ellis, Bothalia 11(3): 235–241 (1974). Taxon 32: 281 (1983).
Paspalum distichum var. turleyi F.M.Bailey, Queensland Agricultural Journal 20(4): 181(1908): T: "It was discovered by Mr. F.W. Turley. nurseryman, Toowoomba, in a swamp near that town.".
Paspalum distichum var. normale F.M.Bailey, The Queensland Flora 6: 1814 (1902). T: "... many South Queensland freshwater swamps being now overrun with it ... It is the common grass of our town gutters.".
Paspalum distichum var. microstachyum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 288 (1915). T:Nordost-Queensland: am Meeresufer zwischen Yarraba und Cape False ganze Bestände bildend; holo: K. Domin s.n. (PR, n.v.).
Illustrations: R. de Koning & M.S.M.Sosef, Blumea 30: 295, fig. 3 (1985); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 466 (1993); N.G.Walsh in N.G.Walsh & T.J.Entwisle (eds), Fl. Victoria 2: 598, fig. 121d-e (1994).
Paspalum distichum var. longirepens Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 289 (1915). T: Sydney, Manly Beach, Wools ex Herb. F.von Mueller, 1877; holo: K; iso: BRI.
Perennial, without rhizomes (or rhizome internodes very short), stoloniferous. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, 8–60 cm tall, 5–15 noded; nodes glabrous (the nodes of horizontal stems are frequently hairy). Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves distinctly distichous. Leaves; ligule 0.7–1.6 mm long; blades flat, 2–22 cm long, 2–7 mm wide. Inflorescence of more than one raceme, 0–1.5 cm long; primary branches digitate, 2, 1.5–5.5 cm long. Lowermost inflorescence node hairy. Spikelets 15–50 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic to obovate, 2.6–3.6 mm long, 1.4–1.6 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume not fused with the callus, triangular, 1 nerved, glabrous; upper glume 2.6–3.6 mm long, elliptic to obovate, 3–6 nerved (the midnerve is commonly absent), hairy (finely pubescent), puberulent, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.6–3.6 mm long, 1.4–1.6 mm wide, membranous to chartaceous, 3–5 nerved, with apex acute. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret to shorter than the lower floret; lemma 2.4–3.6 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous to indurate, smooth to irregularly striate, elliptic to obovate; palea cartilaginous, smooth to irregularily striate. Anthers 1–1.3 mm long. 2n = 40 (Quarin, C. L. & B. L. Burson, Cytologia 56: 223--228 (1991)), 60 (Quarin, C. L. & B. L. Burson, Cytologia 56: 223--228 (1991)). Freshwater Couch.
Native or introduced (status not definitely known); with scattered distribution over much of eastern Australia and Tasmania; also in SW W.A. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, temperate sub-humid woodlands, semi-arid shrub woodlands, and acacia shrublands. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1035.
W.A.: 0.5 km E of Lesmurdie Falls, Lesmurdie, A.A.Mitchell 4211, B.J.Lepski & T.R.Lally (BRI, PERTH). S.A.: 10 km S of Manum, C.R.Alcock 10468 (AD, BRI). Qld: Lakefield, Nov.1961,J.Rollinson (BRI). N.S.W.: 20 km SSE of Tarcutta on road to Oberne, R.G.Coveny 17508, P.Jobson & P.Kodela (BRI, MEL, NSW). A.C.T.: Molonglo R. at Duntroon, R. Pullen 8766 (BRI, CANB). Vic.: Ringwood, C.E.Hubbard 8550 (BRI). Tas.: Legana, West Tamar, Dec. 1990, D. Friend s.n. (HO).
Similar to P. vaginatum but differs in spikelet shape, pubescence of the upper glume and texture of the lower lemma and upper glume. Prefers moist ditches or coastal areas and associated with fresh water. Valuable pasture grass on alluvial flats and useful as a fodder for cattle, and as a soil binder on stream banks.
3. *Paspalum notatum Flüggé Gram. Monogr., Paspalum 106 (1810)
T: St. Thomas, West Indies, Ventenat s.n.,1802; lecto: B; isolecto: BM, ILT, KIEL, MO, P, all n.v., fide R. de Koning & M.S.M. Sosef, Blumea 30: 313 (1985).
Illustrations: S.A.Renvoize, Grasses Bahia 236, fig. 78 (1984); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 468 (1993); Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K. M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 578 (2003).
Perennial, rhizomatous (very pronounced and well developed). Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, 20–75 cm tall, 2–5 noded; nodes glabrous (purple in colour). Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.3–1 mm long (the hairy part is only slightly longer than the membrane); blades flat or conduplicate, 6–24 cm long, 4–10 mm wide. Inflorescence of more than one raceme, 0–1.5 cm long; primary branches digitate, 2, 2.5–13 cm long. Spikelets 16–80 on a typical lowermost primary branch, ovate to elliptic, 2.8–3.7 mm long, 2–2.8 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.8–3.7 mm long, ovate to elliptic, 5 nerved, margins neither noticeably flared nor hyaline, glabrous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.8–3.7 mm long, 2–2.8 mm wide, chartaceous, 5 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret (only slightly); lemma 2.5–3.5 mm long, yellow, indurate, uniformly striate, elliptic; palea indurate, uniformily striate. Anthers 1.4–1.6 mm long. 2n = 20 (Pozzobon, M. T. & J. F. M. Valls, Revista Brasileira de Genética 20(1): 29--34 (1997)), or 30 (Quarin, C. L., Bonplandia 5: 235--242 (1983)), 40 (Davidse,G. & R.W. Pohl, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 65: 637–649 (1978)).
Introduced rom South America; most competitive in subtropical areas where it can dominate disturbed soils, pastures and roadsides. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Jan. to Mar. Map 1037.
W.A.: Drysdale River HS, A.A. Mitchell 4349 (BRI, PERTH). Qld: Bald Hills, Feb.1979, F.D.Hockings (BRI); Gympie, W.W.Doherty (BRI); Caboolture, Jan.1961,Quested (BRI). A.C.T.: Canberra, Feb.1978, E.Darnay 589 (CANB). N.S.W.: Brunswick Heads, Dec. 1989, R.Atherton s.n. (BRI). Vic: Census 52
A weed, turf and fodder grass. Very resistant to drought spreading rapidly and aggressively, used for soil conservation and prevention of erosion.
4. Paspalum multinodum B. K. Simon, Austrobaileya 3: 600 (1992)
T: Aurukun, Cook District, Qld, coll. unknown; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, K, L.
Illustrations: B.K.Simon, op. cit. fig. 8.
Perennial. Flowering culms caespitose, 150–200 cm tall, 10–13 noded. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths or shorter than the associated leaf sheaths (at apex). Leaves; ligule 1–1.5 mm long; blades flat, to 38 cm long, 5 mm wide. Inflorescence of more than one raceme, 0.5–1 cm long; primary branches digitate, 2–4, 3–8 cm long. Spikelets elliptic, c. 3.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 3.5 mm long, elliptic, 3 nerved, glabrous; lemma membranous, with apex acute (sub). Upper floret shorter than the lower floret; lemma 3 mm long, white or yellow, chartaceous, smooth, elliptic; palea chartaceous, smooth. Moonpoon Grass.
Endemic; Collected only from the Weipa region of Cape York. Flowering time not recorded. Map 1038.
Qld: Mapoon Plain, south of Cullen Point north of Weipa, M.Godwin A52 (BRI); Sweers Is., M.Thomas SW19 (AD, BRI, DNA, NSW).
Only known from two collections from the Aurukun area of Cape York. It has narower spikelets than P. notatum and a broader rachis than P. vaginatum. It also has a particularly broad rachis.
5. *Paspalum vaginatum Sw., Prodr. 21 (1788)
T: Jamaica, O.Swartz; holo: S n.v., fide R. de Koning & M.S.M. Sosef, Blumea 30: 310 (1985).
Paspalum littorale R.Br., Prodr. 188 (1810); Paspalum distichum var. littorale F.M.Bailey, Illustrated Monograph Grasses Qld 1, t. 35 (1879). T: (T. J.) v.v., Nov 1802, R.Brown Iter Australiense 6091; holo: BM (photos BRI); iso BRI, E, K (photo BRI).
[P. distichum auct. non L.].
Illustrations: S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 466 (1993); N.G.Walsh in N.G.Walsh & T.J.Entwisle (eds), Fl. Victoria 2: 598, 121c (1994); I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 318, Fig 82 (2000).
Perennial, stoloniferous. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, 8–60 cm tall, 5–13 noded; nodes glabrous (stolon nodes are frequently densely pubescent). Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves distinctly distichous. Leaves; ligule 0.5–1.2 mm long; blades flat or conduplicate or convolute, 5–22 cm long, 1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of more than one raceme, 0–1.2 cm long; primary branches digitate, 2–5, 2–7.5 cm long. Spikelets 16–32 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 3–3.5 mm long, 0.9–1.5 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.5–3.7 mm long, lanceolate, 4–6 nerved (mid-nerve absent), glabrous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.5–3.7 mm long, 0.9–1.5 mm wide, membranous, 5 nerved, with apex acuminate to acute. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret; lemma 2.3–3.5 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous, smooth to irregularly striate, elliptic; palea cartilaginous, smooth to irregularily striate. Anthers 1.2–1.6 mm long. 2n = 20 (Okoli, B. E., Taxon 31: 127--128 (1982)), 40 (Rao Sindhe, Taxon 26:257–274 (1977)), 60 (Sinde, A.N.R., K.N.Narayan & M.Muniyamma, Taxon 24: 368 (1975)). Saltwater Couch.
Native or introduced (status not known for cetain); all coastal regions of mainland Australia, and also in a few inland saline localities. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, semi-arid shrub woodlands, and acacia shrublands. Flowering soradically throughout the year. Map 1036.
W.A.: Dawesville, adjacent to Peel Inlet, A.A.Mitchell 4192 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Alice Springs, P.K.Latz 8494 (NT). S.A.: near Port Adelaide, T.J.Smith 1701 (AD). Qld: on Elsey Stn., S.T.Blake 17516 (BRI). N.S.W.: Catherine Hill Bay, R.G.Coveny 16522, T.Tame & Z.Donabauer (BRI, NSW, US). Vic.: Cape Conran, E of Orbust, N.G.Walsh 2898 (BRI, MEL).
The nomenclatural confusion among P. distichum, P. papsaloides and P. vaginatum was resolved in Taxon (1983). An aquatic weed and fodder plant of brackish or saline chiefly coastal habitats. Readily eaten by cattle, possibly of some nutritional value as a fodder on swampy, saline soils.
6. Paspalum batianoffii B. K. Simon, Austrobaileya 3: 599 (1992)
T: Statue Bay Beach, 6.5 km SE of Yeppoon, Qld, 8 Sep 1977, G.N.Batianoff 651 & T.J.McDonald; holo: BRI (3 sheets).
Illustrations: B.K.Simon, op. cit. fig. 7.
Perennial, stoloniferous. Flowering culms decumbent, to 40 cm tall, 2–3 noded. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule to 1 mm long; blades flat or convolute, 8–16 cm long, 2–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of more than one raceme, 1.5–2.5 cm long; primary branches subdigitate, 2–3, to 11 cm long. Spikelets elliptic, 4–4.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 4.5 mm long, elliptic, 2 nerved, glabrous; lemma 4.2 mm long, chartaceous, with apex acute. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret (slightly); lemma 3.5 mm long, yellow, chartaceous (to coriaceous), smooth, elliptic; palea chartaceous (to coriaceous), smooth. Anthers 2 mm long.
Endemic; Collected only once from the Yeppoon, central Qld coast and now thought to be extinct. Flowering Sep. Map 1039.
No further collections from the type locality have been made despite attempts to do so.
7. Paspalum scrobiculatum L., Syst. Nat. 12th edn, 2: 86 (1767); Mant. Pl. 1: 29 (1767)
T: cultivated at Uppsala; holo: LINN 79.4 (IDC microfiche).
Paspalum orbiculare G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 7 (1786); P. scrobiculatum var. orbiculare (G.Forst.) Hack., in H.G.A.Engler, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 6: 233 (1884). T: Society Is., Forster; holo: GOET; iso: K (photo AW).
Paspalum commersonii Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 1: 175, t. 43, fig. 1 (1791); P. scrobiculatum var. commersonii (Lam.) Stapf, in D.Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 573 (1919). T: Ex Insula Franciae, [Mauritius], Commerson; holo: P.
Paspalum polystachyum R.Br., Prodr. 188 (1810); P. scrobiculatum var. polystachyum (R.Br.) Stapf, in D.Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 576 (1919). T: Gulf of Carpentaria, R.Brown Iter Australiense 6088; holo: BM (photo BRI); iso: BRI, K (photo AW)).
Paspalum polo F.M.Bailey, Queensland Agric. J. 1: 234 (1897). T: Polo Ck, Somerset, Cape York Peninsula, Qld, Jun 1897, F.M.Bailey s.n.; holo: BRI.
Paspalum metabolon Steud., Syn. Plant. Glum. 1: 19 (1853). T: Sieb. Agr. nr. 14 N. Holl [near Sydney]; holo: BRI, P (photo BRI).
Illustrations: S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 466 (1993); I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 318, Fig 82 (2000); Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 573 (2003).
Paspalum scrobiculatum var. gracillimum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 288 (1915). T: 1910, Australia: Queensland: Townsville ; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Perennial (occasionally reported as an annual), rhizomatous, stoloniferous or without stolons. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, 30–150 cm tall, 6–15 noded; nodes glabrous. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.4–3 mm long (frequently associated with a line of setaceous hairs); blades flat to conduplicate, 8–38 cm long, 3.5–10 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 0–8 cm long (mostly less than 20); primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 2–7, 5–11 cm long. Spikelets 30–110 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic to obovate, 2.1–2.9 mm long, 1.1–1.6 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.1–2.9 mm long, elliptic to obovate, 5 nerved, margins neither noticeably flared nor hyaline (the margins are distinctly recurved or inrolled), glabrous, muticous or mucronate. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.1–2.9 mm long, 1.1–1.6 mm wide, hyaline to membranous, 5–7 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 2.1–2.9 mm long, brown, indurate, uniformly striate, elliptic to obovate; palea indurate, uniformily striate. Differentiated cleistogamous spikelets terminating leafy axillary branches. 2n = 20, 40 (J.Christopher, P.S.Raj & K.G Pillai, Cytologia 52:487--491), 60 (M.Sahni & S.S.Bir, Journal of Cytology and Genetics 20:205--206(1985)). Scrobic.
Coastal Australia from the Kimberley to central N.S.W. Tropical and subtropical rain forests, dry sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and coastal grasslands. Flowering mostly Dec. to June. Map 1041.
W.A.: Freshwater Bay, A.A.Mitchell 2870 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: 7.5 km W of Adelaide R., B.K.Simon 3631 & M.H.Andrew (BRI, DNA). Qld: Palmwoods, C.E.Hubbard 2779 (BRI); Tully Falls, A.Fielding 13397 (QRS). N.S.W.: Macksville, Apr.1967, E.K.Leggett (BRI, CANB).
The P. scrobiculatum complex is notoriously difficult to treat taxonomically as it is possibly an aggregate swarm of apomicts. The approach of Clayton (1975) is the one followed here. Another approach is that of De Koning and Sosef (1985), where, as well as the separation of P. orbiculare Forst.f., the species P. scrobiculatum has been divided into 5 varieties. If this revision is followed the variety occurring in Australia is P. scrobiculatum var. bispicatum Hackel ( = P. commersonii Lam.).
8. *Paspalum setaceum Michx. var. ciliatifolium (Michx.)Vasey, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 44 (1803)
Paspalum ciliatifolium Michx., Fl.Bor.-Amer. 1: 44 (1803). T: Carolina, U.S.A.; lecto: A. Michaux s.n, third specimen, P (frag.US, photo BRI), fide A.S. Hitchcock, Contr.U.S.Nat.Herb. 12:145 (1908).
Illustrations: S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 466 (1993) as P. ciliatifolium; Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 591(2003).
Perennial. Flowering culms caespitose, to 100 cm tall, 2–4 noded. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule c. 1 mm long; blades flat, 2–32 cm long, 3–18 mm wide. Inflorescence a raceme or of more than one raceme; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 1–4, 3–10 cm long. Spikelets 1.9–2.1 mm long; upper glume 1.9–2.1 mm long. 2n = 20 (R.W.Pohl & G.Davidse, Brittonia 23(3):293–324 (1971)). One-spiked Paspalum.
Introduced from South America; collected thus far from only one locality from the north coast of N.S.W. Flowering Feb. Map 1040.
N.S.W.: Coraki, Feb 1966, F.J.Hartridge s.n. (NSW).
9. *Paspalum fasciculatum Willd.ex Flüggé, Gram. Monogr., Paspalum 69 (1810), as Paspalus
T: Brazil, Hoffmannsegge; location uncertain n.v.; lecto: US (photo BRI), fide A.S. Chase, U.S. Natl. Herb. 28: 176 (1929).
Illustrations: A.Burkart (ed.), Fl. Ill. Entre Rios, Gramin. 409, fig. 172 P f (1969).
Perennial, stoloniferous. Flowering culms decumbent, 100–300 cm tall, 4–10 noded; nodes hairy or glabrous. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.3–0.7 mm long (the hairs much longer); blades flat, 20–70 cm long, 10–20 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 5–11 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 8–33, 7–16 cm long. Spikelets 50–80 on a typical lowermost primary branch, ovate (approaching lanceolate), 3.5–4.4 mm long, 1.4–1.7 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume triangular, 0 nerved, glabrous; upper glume 3.5–4.4 mm long, ovate, 3–5 nerved, glabrous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 3.5–4.4 mm long, 1.4–1.7 mm wide, membranous, lacking a hyaline area at the base, 5–7 nerved, with apex acute. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret (only slightly); lemma 3.3–4.3 mm long, yellow, indurate, irregularly striate, ovate, the apex not differentiated into a membranous green point; palea indurate, irregularily striate. Anthers 2.2–2.8 mm long. 2n = 20 (R.W.Pohl & G.Davidse, Brittonia 23(3):293–324 (1971)).
Introduced from South America; naturalised in a few localities in the Kimberley, W.A. Tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands and arid and semi-arid low woodlands. Flowering Apr. to June. Map 1042.
W.A: Port Headland, B.Rumick s.n. (PERTH); Carlton Reach Experimental Plots, Kununurra, C.A. Gardner 7393 (PERTH); Carlton Reach Expt. plots, Ord River, Apr 1945, K.M.Durack s.n. (PERTH).
10. *Paspalum paniculatum L., Syst. Nat. 10th edn, 855 (1759)
T: Jamaica, P.Browne; lecto: LINN 79.7 (microfiche IDC), fide A. S. Hitchcock, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 12:116 (1908).
Paspalum galmarra F.M.Bailey, Queensland Dept. of Agr. Bot. Bull. 9: 12 (1894). T: Harvey's Ck, 1889, F.M. Bailey s.n.; holo: BRI.
Illustrations: R.de Koning & M.S.M.Sosef, Blumea 30: 301, fig. 6 (1985); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 467 (1993); Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 578 (2003).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose, 30–200 cm tall, 2–7 noded; nodes hairy. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.5–1.2 mm long (considering only the membranous part); blades flat, 8–38 cm long, 7–30 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 5.5–13 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 7–60, 5–9 cm long. Spikelets 90–180 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic to obovate (length to width ratio, 1.25–1.40), 1.3–1.4 mm long, 0.95–1.05 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 1.3–1.4 mm long, elliptic to obovate, 3 nerved, hairy, puberulent, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 1.3–1.4 mm long, 0.95–1.05 mm wide, membranous, lacking a hyaline area at the base, 3 nerved, indumentum shorter than the spikelet, puberulent, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 1.3–1.4 mm long, yellow to brown, cartilaginous to indurate, smooth to irregularly striate, elliptic to obovate, lacking an apical crest; palea cartilaginous to indurate, smooth to irregularily striate. Anthers 0.5–0.8 mm long. 2n = 10, 20 (Honfi, A. I., C. L. Quarin & J. F. M. Valls, Darwiniana 30(1--4): 87--94 (1990)). Russell River Grass.
From South America; coastal Qld and N.S.W, from Cape York to Murwillumbah. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Feb. to Aug. Map 1043.
Qld: between Eudlo and Palm Woods, J.A.Elsol 142 (BRI); Pioneer Shire, E.R.Anderson 322B (BRI); Paluma Ra., A.K.Irvine 2110 (QRS); Conway Ra., B.K.Simon 3374 (BRI, CANB). N.S.W.: Murwillumbah, R.Mitchell (BRI, CANB).
A weedy species which prefers moist sites from forest margins to marshy areas. Introduced as a pasture grass, but apparently not palatable to cattle.
11. *Paspalum nicorae Parodi, Notas Mus. La Plata, Bot. 8(40): 82 (1943)
Paspalum plicatulum var. arenarius Arechavaleta, J., Anales Mus. Nac. Montevideo 1:58 (1894). T: Uruguay. Montevideo. Rio del Plata, J.Arechavaleta s.n.: iso: US, n.v.; W, n.v..
Illustrations: Linda A. Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 585 (2003).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose, 10–70 cm tall, 2–4 noded. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 1.2–1.5 mm long; blades flat to conduplicate, 6–20 cm long, to 3.5 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 6–14 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 2–5, 1.4–5.2 cm long. Spikelets 30–50 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 2.7–3.3 mm long, 1.7–1.8 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.7–2.8 mm long, elliptic, 5 nerved, hairy, puberulent, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.7–2.8 mm long, 1.7–1.8 mm wide; faintly transversely rugose at maturity; membranous, 5 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 2.5–2.7 mm long, brown, indurate, smooth, ovate; distinctly convex; palea indurate. 2n = 40 (S.B.Dandin, & M.S.Chennaveeraiah, Journal of Cytology and Genetics 18: 26--33 (1983)).
Introduced from South America; north coast of N.S.W. Flowering Jan. Map 1051.
N.S.W.: Old Lawrence Rd, NW of Whiporie, A.Bean 17242 (BRI); 24km N of Grafton on Casino road, N.Lloyd 1163 (BRI, NSW).
12. *Paspalum regnellii Mez, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 15: 75 (1917)
T: Petropolis, S. Antonio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Glaziou 9049, 8 Mar 1877; lecto: B; isolect: BAA, MO, P, US (photo BRI), fide F. Zuloaga and O. Morrone, Cat. New. World Grass. 3: 507 (2003).
Illustrations: get one drawn.
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose, 100–150 cm tall, 4–5 noded. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.5–2 mm long; blades flat, 9–40 cm long, 12–20 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 11–21 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 5–8, 4–13 cm long. Spikelets 110–130 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 2.2–2.3 mm long, 1.8–2 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.2–2.3 mm long, elliptic, 5 nerved, hairy, sparsely puberulent, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.1–2.3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, membranous, 3–5 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 2.1–2.3 mm long, yellow to brown, indurate, smooth, ovate; distinctly convex; palea coriaceous. 2n = 40 (Honfi, A. I., C. L. Quarin & J. F. M. Valls, Darwiniana 30(1--4): 87--94 (1990)).
Introduced (from South America); recently naturalised on the north coast of N.S.W. Map 1048.
N.S.W.: Utungun, W. of Macksville, on property of Mr T. Rideout, 17.5.1965., E.K. Leggett s.n. (NSW); Macksville, 24.5.1966, E.K. Leggett s.n. (NSW); Macksville, 04.1967, E.K.Leggatt s.n. (BRI, NSW).
13. *Paspalum mandiocanum Trin., Gram. Panic. 113 (1826)
T: Mandiocam, Brazil, G.H. von Langsdorff s.n.; holo: Brazil: prope Mandiocam, in siccis; holo: LE; iso: US (L fragment, photo BRI).
[P. wettsteinii auct].
Illustrations: S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 327 (1993) as P. wettsteinii. get one drawn.
Perennial, without rhizomes. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, to 100 cm tall, 3–5 noded. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths or shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.5–0.6 mm long; blades flat, 6–30 cm long, to 20 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 7–15 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 8–20, 4–7 cm long. Spikelets 120–200 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 2–2.3 mm long, 1.5–1.8 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2–2.2 mm long, elliptic, 3 nerved, glabrous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2–2.2 mm long, c. 1.5 mm wide, membranous, 3 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 2 mm long, yellow to brown, indurate, smooth, ovate; distinctly convex; palea indurate. 2n = 50 (Honfi, A. I., C. L. Quarin & J. F. M. Valls, Darwiniana 30(1--4): 87--94 (1990)).
Introduced from South America; east coast of Australia from central Qld to central NSW. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1050 (as P. wettsteinii).
Qld: Topaz, B.M.Waterhouse 6287 & F.Lorensen (BRI, MBA); Theresa Creek Rd, Millaa Millaa, R.Walker 2 (BRI); Boombana N.P., Mt Nebo, S.P.Phillips 430 (BRI, MEL); Ormeau, Dec 1993, J.Hauser s.n. (BRI, NSW); N.S.W.:20 km W of Murwillumbah on the Kyogle road. N. Lloyd 0848 (NSW). NSW. Grasses NSW as P. wettsteinii
Previously material of this species was wrongly named P. wettsteinii. However the latter species (now regarded as a synonym of P. virgatum) has larger spikelets which are hairy. P. mandiocanum has recently become a noted weed in Queensland, where it was introduced as a pasture grass.
14. *Paspalum plicatulum Michx., Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 45 (1803)
T: United States, Georgia, A.Michaux 2; holo: P; iso: US (fragment).
Illustrations: A.S.Hitchcock, Man. Grasses U.S. 600, fig. 1264 (1935); S.A.Renvoize, Grasses Bahia 216, fig. 80F (1984); Linda A. Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 583 (2003).
Perennial, without rhizomes. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, 50–100 cm tall, 5–12 noded; nodes glabrous. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 1–3 mm long; blades flat, 8–30 cm long, 3–7 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 6–15 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 2–7, 4–9 cm long. Spikelets 50–90 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic to obovate, 2.5–2.8 mm long, 1.4–2 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.5–2.8 mm long, elliptic to obovate, 5–7 nerved, margins neither noticeably flared nor hyaline, hairy or glabrous, villous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.5–2.8 mm long, 1.4–2 mm wide, membranous, 5 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 2.4–2.8 mm long, dark brown (and shining), indurate, uniformly striate, elliptic to obovate; distinctly convex; palea indurate, uniformily striate. 2n = 20 (Davidse & Pohl, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 65: 637–649 (1978)), 40 (Norrmann, G. A., C. L. Quarín & T. J. Killeen, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 81:768–774 (1994)). Plicatulum.
Introduced (from South America); Coastal regions from the Kimberley, W.A. to S.E Qld. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, Brigalow forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Mar. to July. Map 1045.
W.A.: Kimberley Research Stn, M.Lazarides 5024A (CANB, K). N.T.: 29 km from Peppimenarti on road to Palumpa, A.A.Mitchell 6411 (BRI, DNA). Qld: ; N of Kin Kin, Apr.1971, J.R.Savage (BRI); 1.5 of NW boundary of Kinkuna National Park, J.Brushe JB701 (BRI); 1.3 km S of Jimboomba, Apr 2003, W.Scattini s.n. (BRI).
Paspalum plicatulum belongs to a morphologically confusing group in need of detailed study. A number of cultivars have been introduced to Australia, of which the best known are cv.Rodd's Bay, cv.Hartley and cv.Bryan.
15.*Paspalum virgatum L., Syst.Nat. ed.10, 2: 855 (1759).
T: Jamaica, P.Browne s.n., lecto: LINN 79.6 (microfiche IDC), fide A.S.Hitchcock, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 12: 116 (1908).
Paspalum wettsteinii Hack, Ergebn. Bot. Exp. Sudbras. 1: 5 (1906). T: Sao Paulo, Jul 1901, von Wettstein & Schiffner s.n. holo: W, n.v. ; iso: US (W fragment, photo BRI).
Illustrations: S.A.Renvoize, Gramineas de Bolivia 471: pl.101(1998); Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K. M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 582 (2003).
Perennial, without rhizomes. Flowering culms caespitose, 90–170 cm tall, 5–6 noded. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 1–1.8 mm long; blades flat, 30–90 cm long, 10–20 mm wide. Inflorescence 15–30 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 10–20, 3–15 cm long. Spikelets 200–300 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 2.5–3 mm long, 1.8–2 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.5–3 mm long, elliptic, 5 nerved, slightly hairy, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.5–3 mm long, 1.8–2 mm wide, membranous, 5 nerved, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 2.7–2.9 mm long, light brown (not shining), coriaceous, uniformly striate, elliptic; distinctly convex; palea indurate, uniformily striate. 2n = 40 (R.W.Pohl & G.Davidse, Brittonia 23(3):293–324 (1971)).
Introduced from South America; a weed on the Atherton Tableland, Qld. Flowering Nov. and July. Map 1046.
Qld: Centre for Tropical Agriculture, Mareeba, J.R.Clarkson 11303 (BRI); Clyde Rd, Babinda, Nov 1988, G.Crossland s.n. (BRI); besides Russell R at Babinda, B.S.Wannan 3337 (BRI).
16. *Paspalum dilatatum Poir., In J.B.A.P. de M. de Lamarck, Encycl. 5: 35 (1804)
T: Distrito Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina, P.Commerson s.n.; holo: P, n.v. (photos BRI); iso: US (photo BRI).
Illustrations: S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 467 (1993); N.G.Walsh in N.G.Walsh & T.J.Entwisle (eds), Fl. Victoria 2: 598, fig. 121f-g (1994); W.M.Curtis & D.I.Morris, Stud. Fl. Tasmania 4B: 339 (1994).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, 25–140 cm tall, 2–6 noded. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves not distinctly distichous (leaves mostly basal). Leaves; ligule 2–8 mm long; blades flat, 9–35 cm long, 4–10 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 3–20 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 2- 3–5 (-11), 4–12.5 cm long. Spikelets 70–140 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 2.7–3.9 mm long, 2–2.4 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.7–3.9 mm long, ovate to elliptic, 5–9 nerved, hairy, villous (hairs commonly obscure, short and scattered), mucronate. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.7–3.9 mm long, 2–2.4 mm wide, membranous, 5–9 nerved, indumentum shorter than the spikelet, villous, with apex acute. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret; lemma 2–3.2 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous to indurate, irregularly striate, elliptic; gently convex; palea cartilaginous to indurate, uniformily striate to irregularily striate. 2n = 40, 50, 60 (Hickenbick, M. C. M., M. I. Senff & A. M. S. Zary, Ciencia e Cultura (Sao Paulo) 39: 708--709).
Introduced from South America; in the wetter parts of all States except the N.T. Temperate heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, temperate rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, temperate wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, semi-arid shrub woodlands, acacia shrublands, tropical sub-humid grasslands, and temperate sub-humid grasslands. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1053.
W.A.: Lesmurdie, A.A.Mitchell 6395 ((BRI, PERTH). N.T.: RAAF Base Coonawarra, Darwin, A.A.Mitchell 6395 ((BRI, DNA). S.A.: southern Lofty Region, A.W.Bell 127 (AD). Qld: Kangaroo Point, C.E.Hubbard 4905 (BRI). N.S.W.: near Tenterfield, E.Reiner 289 (CANB). A.C.T.:Canberra, Feb. 1966, C.P.Brown s.n. (BRI). Vic: Blackburn, Melbourne, T.B.Muir 7029 (BRI, MEL). Tas.: on road to Mt Field, D.Sharp 191 & B.K.Simon (BRI, HO).
Similar to P. urvillei and though the species are very distinctive it is difficult to find a character that distinguishes all specimens. Typically, P. dilatatum has larger spikelets, fewer primary branches, a shorter main axis and more nerves on the upper glume and lower lemmas. This weedy species prefers moist ditches, disturbed areas, and is a common invader of gardens. Is a heavy producer of palatable fodder, withstands heavy grazing and drought, but is frost-tender. It is also rhizomatous and a weed of lawns, golf courses, seasonally wet ground, irrigation channels, vineyards, orchards and sugarcane plantations. Its seed is attacked by a fungus causing ergot and a sticky exudate which is harmful to humans.
17. *Paspalum urvillei Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 24 (1853)
T: Brazil, J.S.C. D'Urville s.n.; holo: CN, n.v.; iso: US (photo BRI).
Paspalum dilatatum var. parviflorum Doell, Mart. Fl. Bras. 2: 64 (1877). T: Lagoa Santa, Warming (location uncertain).
Illustrations: T.D.Stanley & E.M.Ross, Fl. SE Queensland 3: 223, fig. 36B (1989); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 467 (1993); Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 580 (2003).
Perennial, rhizomatous (with short internodes). Flowering culms caespitose, 80–200 cm tall, 3–6 noded; nodes glabrous. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 2–9 mm long; blades flat, 25–60 cm long, 4–25 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle (consisting of numerous(10–30) racemose primary branches), 12–30 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 10–30, 7–14 cm long. Spikelets 80–140 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 1.6–2.8 mm long, 1.2–1.4 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 1.6–2.8 mm long, elliptic, 3 nerved, hairy, villous (only a few scattered hairs present), muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 1.6–2.8 mm long, 1.2–1.4 mm wide, membranous, 3 nerved, indumentum overtopping the spikelet, with apex acute. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret; lemma 1.4–2.6 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous, uniformly striate to irregularly striate, elliptic; gently convex; palea cartilaginous, smooth to irregularily striate. 2n = 40 (Honfi, A. I., C. L. Quarin & J. F. M. Valls, Darwiniana 30: 87--94 (1990)).
Introduced from South America; in the wetter parts of all States except S.A and the N.T. Tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Nov. to June. Map 1052.
W.A.: Bickley, A.A.Mitchell 4171 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Kalerrk Outstation, A.A.Mitchell 6409 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Lakeland Downs, B.M.Waterhouse (BRI, CANB, MBA); Sunnybank, C.E.Hubbard 2370 (BRI). N.S.W.: Milton, M.Gray 6421 (CANB); Gan Gan Hill near Nelson Bay, R.G.Coveny 16444, S.McCune & T.Tame (BRI, NSW, US). Vic: SW of Heywood, R.V.Smith 75.55 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, NSW).
A tall, coarse perennial of little or no economic importance. It is an environmental weed, but not to the same extent as P. dilatatum. Fodder grass, readily eaten when young, but becoming tough and unpalatable with age.
18. Paspalum longifolium Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 283 (1820)
T: India: cultivated, W. Roxburgh s.n.; holo: BM (photo K); iso: US.
Illustrations: R. de Koning & M.S.M. Sosef, Blumea 30: 298, fig. 4 (1985); T.D.Stanley & E.M.Ross, Fl. SE Queensland 3: 223, fig. 36E (1989); I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 316, Fig 81 (2000).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose, 40–130 cm tall, 5–12 noded; nodes glabrous. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 1.5–3 mm long; blades flat or conduplicate, 9–35 cm long, 4–8 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 6–15 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 1- 2–5 (-12), 6–12 cm long. Spikelets 90–150 on a typical lowermost primary branch, obovate, 2.1–3 mm long (pale green in colour), 1.3–1.7 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.1–3 mm long, obovate, 5 nerved, margins neither noticeably flared nor hyaline, hairy or glabrous (commonly with scattered short villous hairs), villous, mucronate. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.1–3 mm long, 1.3–1.7 mm wide, hyaline to membranous, 5 nerved, indumentum shorter than the spikelet, villous, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret to shorter than the lower floret; lemma 2.1–3 mm long, yellow, indurate, uniformly striate, elliptic to obovate; gently convex; palea indurate, uniformily striate.
Coastal regions from the N.T. to the north coast of N.S.W. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering mostly Nov. to May. Map 1044.
N.T.: Mainoru Stn, P.Watter (NT); Daly R. floodplains, C.S.Robinson 1173 (CANB). Qld: between Ingham and Toobanna, C.E.Hubbard 6928 (BRI); Mt. Malloy-Mossman road, B.K.Simon 2668 (BRI, CANB). N.S.W.: 64 km W of Grafton, N.Lloyd 362 (BRI).
A common invader in wet and open, disturbed places.
19. *Paspalum quadrifarium Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 1: 176 (1791)
T: Montivideo, Uruguay, May 1767, P. Commerson s.n.; lecto: P; isolecto: US (photo BRI), fide L. R. Parodi, Rev. Mus. La Plata 1: 244 (1937).
Paspalum ferrugineum Trin., Sp. Gram. Icon. 2: 136 (1829).
Illustrations: N.T.Burbidge, Austral. Grasses 3: 101 (1970); B.Rosengurtt et al., Gramin. Uruguayas 377, fig. 165 (1970); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 467 (1993).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose, 90–200 cm tall, 4–7 noded; nodes hairy. Internodes shorter than the associated leaf sheaths (the leaves mostly basal and overlapping). Leaves; ligule 2–4 mm long; blades conduplicate to involute, 15–70 cm long, 4–8.5 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 10–20 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 15–25, 3–10 cm long. Spikelets 50–100 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic to obovate, 2–2.6 mm long, 1.1–1.4 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.2–2.8 mm long, elliptic to obovate, 3–5 nerved, hairy, villous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.2–2.8 mm long, 1.1–1.4 mm wide, hyaline to membranous, 3 nerved, with nerves producing slit-like interspaces, with apex rounded. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 1.9–2.6 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous to indurate, irregularly striate, elliptic to obovate; gently convex; the apex not differentiated into a membranous green point; palea cartilaginous to indurate, irregularily striate. Anthers 1.3–1.4 mm long. 2n = 20, 30, 40 (Quarin, C.L. & E.P. Lombardo, Mendeliana 7(2): 101–107 (1986)).
Introduced from South America; naturalised in three coastal areas (S.E. Qld, Sydney and Melbourne). Tropical and subtropical rain forests and tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests. Flowering July to Oct. Map 1047.
Qld: 1.5 miles north of Yandina, in scrub frontage to North Arm Creek, Oct.1956, N.F. Pembroke (BRI); Gympie, Feb.1991, K.Wood s.n. (BRI): Randwick Road, Gympie, Jan.1991, J.Cumming s.n. (BRI). N.S.W.: North Ryde,near junction of Epping Highway and Fullers Bridge Roads, Dec.1967, J.Vickery (BRI, CANB); Epping Highway, North Ryde, Feb.1987, Van Klaphake NSW218073 (BRI, NSW, PRC). Vic.: Lilydale, E side of Swansea Rd, A.Brown 7 (BRI, CANB, HO, MEL).
Similar to P. exaltatum, however, South American taxonomists recognize them as distinct.
A declared noxious weed in parts of New South Wales.
20. *Paspalum exaltatum J. Presl., Rel. Haenk. 1: 219 (1830)
T: Habitat in Cordileris, Chile, Haenke; holo: PR, n.v.; iso: B, US (photo BRI) (Specimen possibly mislabeled, locality could be Montevideo, Uruguay, fide TROPICOS).
Paspalum arechavaletae Hack. ex Arechav., Anales Mus. Nac. Montevideo 1: 86 (1894). T: Montevideo, Uruguay, Dec. 1895, Arechavaleta s.n; iso: US, n.v.
Illustrations: B.Rosengurtt et al., Gramin. Uruguayas 377, fig. 165 (1970).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose, 100–300 cm tall, 5–6 noded; nodes glabrous. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths or shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 3–6 mm long; blades flat to involute, 80–150 cm long, 8–20 mm wide. Inflorescence a panicle, 10–25 cm long; primary branches on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 10–44, 5–10 cm long. Spikelets 50–80 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 3–4 mm long, 1.2–1.6 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.5–3.2 mm long, elliptic, 5 nerved, hairy, villous, muticous or mucronate. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.5–3.2 mm long, 1.2–1.6 mm wide, hyaline to membranous, 3 nerved, with apex acute. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret; lemma 2.3–3 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous to indurate, irregularly striate, elliptic; gently convex; the apex not differentiated into a membranous green point; palea cartilaginous to indurate, irregularily striate.
Introduced from South America; naturalised once on the Sunshine Coast, Qld. Tropical heaths. Flowering Jan. Map 1049.
Qld: Boreen Point, Jan.1962, N.J.Douglas s.n. (BRI).
Known from only two collections at one locality in Australia. Its present status is uncertain. A distinctive species with no economic importance.
AXONOPUS
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Axonopus P. Beauv., Ess. Agrost. 12 (1812); from the Greek axon (axis) and pous (foot), alluding to rachides arising from a common point (digitate).
Type: A. compressus (Sw.) P. Beauv.
Cabrera Lag., Gen. Sp. Pl. 5 (1816). T: C. chrysoblepharis Lag. = A. chrysoblepharis (Lag.) Chase. Lappagopsis Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 112 (1854). T: L. bijuga Steud. = A. bijugus (Steud.) Chase = A. brasiliensis (Spreng.) Kuhlm.
Cabrera Lag., Gen. et Spec. Plant. 5 (1816). Type species: Cabrera chrysoblepharis Lag. = A. chrysoblepharis (Lag.) Chase
Lappagopsis Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 112 (1854).Type species: Lappagopsis bijuga Steud. = A. bijugus (Steud.) Chase = A. brasiliensis (Spreng.) Kuhlm.
Annual or perennial, rhizomatous or without rhizomes, stoloniferous or without stolons. Flowering culms caespitose; nodes hairy or glabrous. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths or shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; Leaves; ligule membranous; blades flat to involute. Plants with hermaphrodite florets. Inflorescence a panicle, exserted at maturity. Lowermost inflorescence node smooth to scabrous. Spikelets with disarticulation at the base of the spikelet, dorsally compressed, lanceolate to oblong. Glumes 1 (lower absent),; upper glume lanceolate to oblong, 2–9 nerved, hairy or glabrous, puberulent to villous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 0.7–1.8 mm wide, membranous, 2–9 nerved, indumentum overtopping the spikelet or shorter than the spikelet, villous, with apex acute. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma yellow to brown, cartilaginous to indurate, muricate, oblong to elliptic, lacking an apical crest; palea cartilaginous to indurate, muricate. Hilum short. 2n = 20, 40, 60, and 80.
A genus of c. 110 species native to the warmer areas of the Western Hemisphere. Some are important native forage species whereas others are weedy invaders of which 2 are introduced into Australia. Inflorescence and vegetative characters are remarkably uniform and the genus is easy to recognise, but these factors aslo make it taxonomically difficult, for the difference between its many species are slight (Clayton and Renvoize, 1986).
J.W. Vickery. Axonopus in R.H. Anderson, Flora of New South Wales 19(1): 113-115 (1961); G.A.Black, Grasses of the Genus Axonopus, Advancing Frontiers Pl. Sci. 5 (1963); M.C.M.Hickenbick et al., Cytogenetic and evolutionary relationships in the genus Axonopus (Gramineae), Cytologia 40: 185–204 (1975); R.D.Webster, Axonopus in Austral. Paniceae 13-15 (1987)
Leaf blades 2‑4 mm wide with glabrous margins *A. fissifolius
Leaf blades 4‑10 mm wide with ciliate margins *A. compressus
1. *Axonopus fissifolius (Raddi) Kulm, Relat. Commiss. Linhas. Telegr. Estragteg. Matto Grosso Amazonas, Annexo 5 Bot., 11: 87 (1922)
Paspalum fissifolium Raddi, Agrostogr. Bras. 26 (1823). T: Brazil, Guanabara: pr. Rio de Janeiro, G.Raddi s.n., holo: PI; iso: BM, FI (photo BRI), G-Delessert, US (photo BRI).
Axonopus affinis Chase, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 28: 180 (1938); A. compressus var. affinis Henderson, Malayan Wild Fl. Monoc. Mal. Nat. Soc. Kuala Lumpur 339 (1954). T: Waynesboro, Mississippi, U.S., Oct. 2 1896, T.H.Kearney 175; holo: US, n.v..
Illustrations: M.A.Chase, op. cit., fig. 2.; N.T.Burbidge, Austral. Grasses 1: 141 (1966) as A. affinis; N.G.Walsh in N.G.Walsh & T.J.Entwisle (eds), Fl. Victoria 2: 598, fig. 121a-b (1994) as A. affinis.
Perennial, stoloniferous or without stolons. Flowering culms caespitose, 15–70 cm tall, 2–5 noded; nodes glabrous. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; Leaves; ligule 0.3–0.6 mm long; blades flat or conduplicate, 2.5–25 cm long, 2–4 mm wide. Inflorescence 0–3 cm long; primary branches subdigitate, 2–4, 3–8 cm long. Spikelets 20–50 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic to oblong, 1.7–2.2 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 1.7–2.2 mm long, elliptic to oblong, 4 nerved (the mid-nerve absent), hairy, villous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 1.5–2.1 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide, membranous, 4 nerved, indumentum shorter than the spikelet, villous, with apex acute. Upper floret subequal to the lower floret; lemma 1.5–2 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous to indurate, oblong to elliptic; palea cartilaginous to indurate, muricate. Anthers 0.9–1 mm long. 2n = 20 (Norrmann, G. A., C. L. Quarín & T. J. Killeen, An. Mo. Bot. Gard. 81:768–774 (1994)), or 80 (Hickenbick,R.A., Cytologia 40: 185–204 (1975)). Narrow-leaved Carpet Grass.
Introduced (from South America); In the wetter parts of all States except Tas. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and temperate sub-humid woodlands. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1054.
W.A.: Denmark, R. Sprivulus (PERTH). S.A.: Adelaide, D. Symon 36110 (ADW). N.T.: Darwin, W.J.Sullivan 2 (BRI). Qld.: Eungella Plateau, E.R. Anderson 458 (BRI); Atherton Tablelands, A.P. Kershaw & D. James 10074 (QRS). N.S.W.: 6 miles NW of Morisset, R. Story 6683 (CANB).
Morphologically similar to A. compressus, differing by having narrower leaf blades with glabrous margins. Both grow well in disturbed waste areas and persist in dry periods.
2. *Axonopus compressus (Sw.) P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 154 (1812)
Milium compressum Sw., Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 24 (1788). T: Jamaica, R.Shakespear; iso: BM (photo BRI).
Paspalum platycaulon Poir. in Lamk., Encycl. Meth. Bot. 5: 34 (1804).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1: 239 (1952); T.D.Stanley & E.M.Ross, Fl. SE Queensland 3: 219, fig. 35K (1989); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 464 (1993).
Perennial, stoloniferous. Flowering culms caespitose, 15–60 cm tall, 2–5 noded; nodes hairy. Internodes longer than the associated leaf sheaths or shorter than the associated leaf sheaths. Leaves; ligule 0.4–0.6 mm long; blades flat or conduplicate, 1.5–25 cm long (mostly 3– 8), 4–10 mm wide. Inflorescence 0–2 cm long; primary branches subdigitate or on a common axis usually as long as or longer than racemes, 2–5, 3–8 cm long. Spikelets 20–40 on a typical lowermost primary branch, ovate to elliptic, 2.1–2.8 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide. Glumes; upper glume 2.1–2.8 mm long, lanceolate to ovate, 4–5 nerved (the mid-nerve frequently absent), hairy or glabrous, villous, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.1–2.8 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide, membranous, 4 nerved (the mid-nerve absent), with nerves without slit-like interspacing, indumentum shorter than the spikelet, villous, with apex acute. Upper floret shorter than the lower floret; lemma 1.7–2.4 mm long, yellow, decidedly firmer than glumes, cartilaginous, oblong to ovate, lacking an apical crest; palea cartilaginous to indurate, muricate. 2n = 40 (Norrmann, G. A., C. L. Quarín & T. J. Killeen, An. Mo. Bot. Gard. 81:768–774 (1994)), 60 (Hickenbick,R.A., Cytologia 40: 185–204 (1975)), or 80 (Christopher.J & A.Abraham, Cytologia 41: 621–637 (1976)). Broad-leaved Carpet Grass.
Introduced (from the tropics and subtropics of North America); widespread throughout the tropics of the world. In Australia, east coast from Torres Strait to central N.S.W. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, Brigalow forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Jan. to May. Map 1055.
Qld.: Chillagoe, C.E. Hubbard & C.W. Winders 6783 (BRI); Brisbane, C. E. Hubbard 2411 (BRI); near Atherton Township, M. Lazarides 4228 (CANB). N.S.W.: Kempsey, Moonan 24279 (NSW); New Brighton, J.W.Vickery 24264 (NSW).
Axonopus compressus is morphologically and cytologically variable, and consequently Black (1963) recognized 5 varieties. It is closely related to A. fissifolius, another widespread weedy species, differing by having broader leaf blades with ciliate margins.