Paspalum - introduced (*Paspalum dilatatum)

Native to South America. Perennial. C4.

Family. Poaceae (Grass family).

Occurrence: Very common in weedy places. It favours sites with extra moisture e.g. near roadside drains.

Identification:

the flowers are on arms rising from the upper parts of the stem

the leaves are green and form a mat

the 1st glume is absent

the 2nd glume as long as the spikelet

the spikelets have two unawned lemmas

the first lemma is about as long as the 2nd glume, and is shortly hairy; the second lemma is smaller and shiny

the leaves are flat and the ligule membranous, 2-8mm long.

The radiating arms, the crowded flowers along the arms, the black stigmas and anthers, and the basal leaves are distinctive.

Its green basal leaves are conspicuous when other grasses dry off.

It is an environmental weed.

Paspalos: millet (Greek); dilatatum: extended, widened at the base.

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