Paspalum distichum L.

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Paspalum distichum

Photo: Kevin Murphy

Paspalum distichum

Photo: Kevin Murphy

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Synonyms: Digitaria paspalodes Michaux
Paspalum paspalodes (Michx.) Scribn.
Common names: Couch paspalum (English)
Frequency:
Status: Introduced
Description:
Creeping stoloniferous perennial. Culms 8-60 cm high. Racemes 2, 2-8 cm long. Spikelets 3-4 mm long, ovate, plump, green, borne singly in 2 rows along the rhachis. Inferior glume present on at least some spikelets as a tiny scale. Superior glume and inferior lemma somewhat coriaceous, the glume nearly always obscurely pubescent. Upper lemma pallid at maturity.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: distichum: distichous
Habitat: Damp depressions and marshy, but not saline, soils. It occurs only as an escape in the Flora Zambesiaca area, but has become a serious weed in S. Africa.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Widespread in the tropics and warm temperate regions but moistly absent from the moist equatorial belt.
Zimbabwe distribution: N,W,C
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Clayton, W.D. (1989). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(3) Page 89.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 108.


Other sources of information about Paspalum distichum:

Our websites:

Flora of Zambia: Paspalum distichum

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Paspalum distichum
African Plant Database: Paspalum distichum
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Paspalum distichum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Paspalum distichum
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Paspalum distichum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Paspalum distichum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Paspalum distichum
JSTOR Plant Science: Paspalum distichum
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Paspalum distichum
Plants of the World Online: Paspalum distichum
Tropicos: Paspalum distichum
Wikipedia: Paspalum distichum


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Paspalum distichum.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=107080, retrieved 28 March 2024

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