Florida Dropseed
Scientific Name: Sporobolus floridanus Chapm.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | SPFL3 |
| Group | Monocot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Graminoid |
| Native Locations | SPFL3 |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Florida Dropseed is planted.
Fact Sheet
Uses
Cattle graze Florida dropseed occasionally deer use it during the spring and summer.
Status
Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Florida Dropseed.
Description
Grass Family (Poaceae). Florida dropseed is a native, warm-season, perennial bunch grass. The height ranges from 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 feet. The leaf blade is mostly basal, wide, and folded at the base. The upper part is usually flat, slightly twisted with saw-toothed bristles on the edge. The leaf sheath is keeled, the basal ones hairy at the throat, and the base hard and shining. The ligule is hairy. The seedhead is an open panicle 12 to 20 inches long and only 1 or 2 seed stalks are produced from single bunch. Distribution: For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. From Hitchcock (1950) @ plants.usda.gov
Management
This grass increases on areas grazed during the winter and on which grazing is deferred during the summer. Burning does not easily damage Florida dropseed.
Establishment
Growth starts in the late spring. It produces seedheads in October. It usually scattered throughout plant community, although pure stands do occur. It is adapted to poorly drained soils that have a low pH. Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.