Family – Poaceae
Stems:
Rhizome.
Node of stem.
Leaves:
Leaves on the culm.
Leaf base.
Arrow shows the small ligule.
Inflorescence:
Rachis of the inflorescence.
Flowers:
Flowering – June – November.
Habitat – Widely cultivated as a lawn and pasture grass, rarely escaped to roadsides, waste places, and open disturbed sites.
Origin – Native to tropical America.
Other information – This species can be found throughout most of Alabama. The plant is commonly planted as a lawn grass and is often mowed before the flowering culms reach maturity. Typically, this grass has two rachises at the apex of the flowering culm that produce a “Y” shape. A third, fourth, and sometimes fifth flowering rachis(es) can also form below the upper two rachises (as in the picture above). The leaves of this species can be conduplicate or flat.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Lee Rd 54, Auburn, AL., 6-23-06.