Panicum repens
| Panicum repens | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
| Genus: | Panicum |
| Species: | P. repens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Panicum repens | |
Panicum repens is a species of
Overview
This perennial grass spreads via its large, branching rhizomes, which are thick and pointed. The pointed shape of the rhizome tip gives the plant the name torpedograss. The rhizomes creep along the ground or float in water, forming floating mats. They can reach a length of 6 m (20 ft) and a soil depth of 7 m (23 ft), and they can form a mat 15 cm (5.9 in) thick. The spreading rhizomes sprout repeatedly to form colonies of stems.[6] The stems are 20 to 90 cm (7.9 to 35.4 in) tall,[7] sometimes reaching 1 m (3 ft 3 in). They grow erect or bend down. The leaves are stiff and straight, linear in shape, and flat or folded. They are sometimes white in color and waxy in texture. The inflorescence is a loose panicle of branches bearing small spikelets 2 to 3 mm (0.079 to 0.118 in) long.[6][7]
Habitat
This grass grows throughout the world in tropical and subtropical areas. It was introduced to the United States in seed for forage grasses and probably in ballast water from ships. It was also imported by the United States Department of Agriculture to grow as a forage grass for cattle. It was deliberately planted throughout South Florida and it easily escaped cultivation,[6] eventually becoming "one of the most serious weeds in Florida," spreading to more than 70% of the waterways in the state.[1] In Lake Okeechobee, it has invaded more than 16,000 acres of marsh.[6] It displaces native plants,[8] growing colonially in thick, monotypic stands.[3] Dense mats or stands of the grass cause hypoxia in the water.[6] Torpedograss management in flood-control systems costs an estimated US$2 million per year.[3]
The plant is established in sandy coastal habitat on the United States'
Propagation
The grass spreads primarily via its rhizome. It has been noted to grow 1.3 cm (0.51 in) in length per day. The stems and rhizomes also produce
The grass has been widely planted as forage for cattle because it is so hardy, withstanding grazing and trampling, and it can be made into
References
- ^ a b c Panicum repens. University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
- ^ Panicum repens. Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.
- ^ a b c d e Byrd, J. D. and V. Maddox. Torpedograss (Panicum repens L.) Mississippi State University Extension.
- ^ Torpedograss. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
- ^ a b c Hossain, M. A., et al. (1999). Effect of burial depth on emergence of Panicum repens. Weed Science 47(6) 651-56.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Stone, Katharine R. 2011. Panicum repens. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
- ^ a b Panicum repens. Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Grass Manual Treatment.
- ^ Smith, B., et al. (1993). Factors influencing the efficacy of glyphosate on torpedograss (Panicum repens L.). J Aquat Plant Manage 31 199–202.
- ^ a b Stephenson, D. O., et al. (2006). Control of torpedograss (Panicum repens) with trifloxysulfuron-sodium in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis) turf. Weed Technology 20(2) 351-55.
- ^ Busey, P. (2003). Reduction of torpedograss (Panicum repens) canopy and rhizomes by quinclorac split applications. Weed Technology 17(1) 190-94.
- ^ Torpedograss Panicum repens L. USDA NRCS Plant Guide.
External links
