Family – Poaceae
Stems:
N/A
Leaves:
Leaf base.
Arrow shows ligule.
Inflorescence:
Base of raceme.
Rachis of raceme.
Flowers:
Flowers.
Mature fruits.
Flowering – April – October.
Habitat – Moist disturbed sites, waste places, fields, roadsides.
Origin – Native to South America.
Other information – This tall, weedy species can be found mainly in the southern half of Alabama but its range will certainly expand with time. The plant can be identified by its tall size (+/-2m), big ligules, and villous spikelets.
The genus name Paspalum derives from the Greek “paspal” meaning “a kind of millet, meal.”
The species epithet urvillei is named for the plants discoverer – Jules Sebastian Cesar Dumont d’Urville (1790-1842). Dumont was a famous French explorer and botanist. His accomplishments are many and are well beyond the scope of this Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses). A couple of quick facts worth mentioning here are that Dumont was responsible for the “discovery” of the Venus de Milo statue and its purchase by the French government. Dumont also explored the antarctic and claimed a large section of the land for France. He was killed in a train accident near Versailles. For more on Dumont visit Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses).
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Lee Rd 27, Auburn, AL., 9-15-05.