Brownseed Paspalum

Scientific Name: Paspalum plicatulum Michx.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Paspalum L./ Paspalum plicatulum Michx.

Brownseed Paspalum
General Information
Usda SymbolPAPL3
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsPAPL3

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Brownseed Paspalum is planted.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

top paspalum, coqueirinho, pasto-negro, gamelotillo, hierba de cepa, Paspalum texanum

Uses

Livestock grazes brownseed paspalum throughout all seasons. Quail and wild ducks eat the seed.

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.

Description

Grass Family (Poaceae), Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Brownseed Paspalum., Brownseed paspalum is a warm-season, rhizomatous perennial, native to the U,S, The height ranges from 2 to 4 feet, The leaf blade is slightly folded; stiff; bluish green; 8 to 20 inches long; smooth and hairy near base, The leaf sheath is compressed; smooth; papery and slightly purple at base, The ligule has brown membrane 1/8 inch long, The stem is compressed and often purplish at base, The seedhead has 3 to 7 racemes with each 2-1/2 to 3 inches long, Mature seeds are dark brown and spikelets are extremely cross-wrinkled on the flat side,

Management

This grass responds to grazing deferments of about 30 days. It decreases under continuous grazing.

Establishment

Growth starts during late winter and early spring. New growth is usually mixed with old growth. It produces seedheads from early summer until frost. Mature seedheads are mixed with green leaves and new seedheads. In Florida, basal leaves stay green all winter. It reproduces from short rhizomes and from seed. It grows well on strongly acid to neutral, poorly drained, clay loam soils, and on excessively drained, deep, sandy soils. It grows in the mountainous region of Puerto Rico on clay soils. Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)7
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceLow
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum230
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum6.5
pH, Minimum4.0
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim43560
Planting Density per Acre, Minim10912
Precipitation, Maximum59
Precipitation, Minimum34
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)4
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceIntermediate


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Active Growth PeriodSpring
BloatNone
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorGreen
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Fruit/Seed ColorYellow
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassYes
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.3
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Foliage TextureFine


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateSlow
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed per Pound282000
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Commercial AvailabilityContracting Only
Bloom PeriodSummer
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialMedium
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Browse AnimalHigh
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Brownseed Paspalum

Brownseed Paspalum

Brownseed Paspalum

Brownseed Paspalum

[Plant Index] [Site Map]